IFA demands smaller food producers be protected in new retail legislation

The IFA wants supply contracts to protect all food producers under the Government’s proposed new retail legislation, not just those supplying the larger multiples.

As the proposed new Competition and Consumer Protection Bill stands, farmers supplying to companies with a turnover of less than €50m will not be required to have a contract. The IFA says this is a real concern, especially for fresh produce producers.

Following a meeting of IFA’s retail project team, IFA president Eddie Downey also signalled that the right of collective negotiation will be critical to protect small and medium-sized producers, particularly on the terms and conditions of future contracts. He cited the example of livestock producers supplying sheep and cattle to processors with a turnover of over €50m.