Allow farmers exemption, says ICMSA

A farm leader claimed yesterday that the Competition Authority is acting unjustly against legitimate joint farmer action in a way that was never intended by the legislation.

ICMSA president Pat O’Rourke said it is time to provide exemption under the Competition Act for farm organisations for any collective action taken on behalf of their members with regard to price and supply of farm inputs including services and the price and supply of farm outputs.

Furthermore, there should be indemnification under law for such actions by a farm organisation.