IFA/Tesco controversy ‘at an end’
“We are confident that this controversy is now at an end,” stated IFA National Potato Committee chairman John Sheridan and National Field Vegetable Committee chairman Kyrle Allen.
They made their comments following a meeting between IFA and Tesco to discuss recent media reports that the large retailer was attempting to prevent producers from selling produce to either Lidl or Aldi.
Aldi had said it was shocked and concerned by a report that Tesco was preventing its Irish potato and vegetable growers from supplying Aldi stores.
Aldi currently sources approximately 30% of products from Irish suppliers and has set up an Irish buying department, committed to increasing the number of products sourced locally, it said.
The IFA, following a meeting with Tesco, said it was satisfied the retailer was not pursuing a restrictive supply policy with potato and vegetable growers. “We have received clarification on this issue and are satisfied that Tesco is not trying to prevent vegetable and potato producers from supplying the discount retailers,” the IFA said.
Farmers are meanwhile continuing to stage protests at Dunnes Stores outlets because it claims the group is threatening their livelihoods by using imported milk as a loss leader.
