Laying down the law on fair trade in the retail sector

Submissions to the Government in advance of its introduction of a statutory code of practice for the retail sector will be accepted until September 1. Oliver Moore describes the background and what stakeholders will be hoping to see in the code.

CONSUMERS in Ireland pay more for food than anywhere else in the EU, other than Scandinavia. In 2009, products like meat, milk and cheese — of which Ireland produces copious amounts — were at 37% over the average EU shop price.

We were 32% above average for the price of breads and cereals.