Protecting producers - Balance in relationship is skewed

SEVERAL thousand farmers protested in Dublin yesterday on two issues that should be of concern to all consumers.

One focussed on how farmers — as well as many other food producers — feel they are exploited by dominant retailers. Just like lots of workers they feel that their relatively vulnerable position is being used to prevent them earning a decent living.

The Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) also protested over a raid on their head office by the Competition Authority. During the raid staff were questioned and files seized. The authority is investigating the possibility of milk price-fixing by farmers.