Farmers ‘losing out to retailers’

THERE is a massive disparity between the falling prices paid to farmers for their produce, and the price charged by retailers to consumers, it was claimed yesterday.

Sinn Féin agriculture spokesperson, Martin Ferris, said farmers are also losing out by having to pay grossly inflated prices for fuel and energy.

“While the annual rate of inflation between 1995 and 2003 was 4.1%, motor fuels rose on average by over 7% and are now 50% higher than in 1995. Overall, energy costs have risen by over 43%.