MEPs’ vote highlights food price increase issues

THE European Parliament has voted by an overwhelming majority to investigate retailers’ responses to global food price hikes.

MEPs called on the European Commission and member states to analyse discrepancies between farm gate prices and the prices charged in the major supermarket chains, after a resolution was adopted by 464 votes in favour, to 30 against and 44 abstentions.

Neil Parish, one of the MEPs, said cereal prices have risen threefold this year, and the livestock sector is having a huge problem, having seen its feed costs going up by perhaps 50 or 60%.