'Legal protection' wanted for economic sustainability of farmers

"This Government has the opportunity today and must give the new food regulator office legal powers that go beyond the unfair trading practices regulations"

"We need legislation to make this food chain transparent, to open it up to see who gets what and to make sure there is fairness right through the food chain," Robert Malone said.

Farm lobby bodies have called for legal protection to ensure the “economic sustainability” of food producers.

Representatives from the Irish Farmers’ Association this week said they wanted to see the legislation establish a national food ombudsman or equivalent before the end of March.