Following the comments last week from Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed, where he said Tesco is one of the largest buyers of Irish food exports, it is clear that retailer power and unfair trading practices remain key issues to be tackled if farmers are to receive a fairer return from the market.It is encouraging to see the progress being made by Christine Tacon, the UK’s grocery code adjudicator, in the work she is doing to redress the balance of power between food producers and large retailers.
Following the comments last week from Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed, where he said Tesco is one of the largest buyers of Irish food exports, it is clear that retailer power and unfair trading practices remain key issues to be tackled if farmers are to receive a fairer return from the market.
It is encouraging to see the progress being made by Christine Tacon, the UK’s grocery code adjudicator, in the work she is doing to redress the balance of power between food producers and large retailers.
Tacon’s office has been able to deliver results because it has the statutory power to properly tackle the many serious issues in the food supply chain.
The Irish Government needs to seriously consider a similar approach here if we are to stomp out the abuse of food suppliers by large supermarkets.
IFA president Joe Healy and the IFA deserve credit for holding such a necessary conference and securing the input of the highly regarded Christine Tacon. Tackling unfair retail practices is the kind of work that can make a difference and deliver results for farmers.
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Christine Tacon interview: tackling fairness in the supply chain
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