Food and drink industry rejects criticism of high prices

Representatives of the food and drink industry have defended the prices charged for their products following criticism from the Government's Consumer Strategy Group.

Reports this morning said a study by the group had found that the high prices charged for a range of goods and services in Ireland could not be justified by high business costs.

However, IBEC's food and drink industry section rejected this conclusion.

Spokesperson Rosemary Garth said: "We have some of the highest costs in Europe in industry in general and particularly in the food and drink industry.

"Having said that, we have actually had negative inflation in food and drink products for the last year, so really this notion of rip-off Ireland isn't actually borne out by the facts."