Mr. Bryan said the talks were positive and that the Tánaiste fully understands the concerns of primary producers and the major imbalance of power in the Food Chain between retailers on the one side and processors, suppliers and primary producers on the other.

Mary Coughlan expressed her committed to introducing a Statutory Code of Practice and Retail Ombudsman, a move welcomed by the IFA. Mr. Bryan said it is the general consensus that it the retail sector must be regulated to rebalance power in the food chain and ensure greater equity and transparency in the share out of the consumer price between retailers, their suppliers and producers.

The IFA leader pointed out to the Tánaiste that the supermarkets are putting huge financial pressure on farmers by discounting Irish food in their stores at the cost of the farmer, while multiples protect their margins and boost cooperate profits. He said farmers must be treated responsibly and it is the duty of the retailers to do so. "Farmers cannot continue to accept prices below the cost of production,” he said.

John Bryan told Mary Coughlan that the new Government Code of Practice for the retail sector has to make unsustainable practices illegal, especially below cost selling and prevent retailers from forcing suppliers to fund retail price reductions. He added that the Code must outline the principle of fair trade and provide for a more reasonable share out of the consumer price.

He also added it would be necessary to introduce an Independent Supermarket Ombudsman to implement the Code and regulate the relationship between producers, suppliers and retailers.

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