WIREDGOV

The Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has called on major supermarket chains to give local farmers a better deal. At its meeting this week, Members questioned representatives from ASDA and Tesco on a range of current concerns including polices on payments and credit terms, labelling issues and on the importance of purchasing local NI produce.

Speaking after the meeting, Committee Chairperson William Irwin MLA said: “We are grateful that both ASDA and Tesco responded to our request to attend this week’s meeting and we recognise that both supermarkets have committed to sourcing and purchasing local produce. However,  we are concerned that this sometimes doesn’t go far enough  and that larger supermarket chains, while reaping financial rewards locally, are not doing enough to sustain, promote and support our farmers and producers.

“In my own constituency, I hear from farmers regularly on the issue of supermarket payment policies and credit terms. The local agricultural community is currently in crisis and the fact that many farmers are being forced to wait to receive just payment for their product is only adding to their financial difficulties. This meeting was an important opportunity for us to impress upon both ASDA and Tesco the need for them to engage directly with farmers, to recognise the financial difficulties they face and to work towards ensuring a fairer pricing policy for all.”

Deputy Chairperson Joe Byrne added: “There has been a lot of emphasis placed recently on the current crisis within the dairy sector but of course the need for a fair pricing mechanism extends to fruit, vegetable and meat farmers/ producers, all of whom are also feeling the financial hit. While we understand that the food supply chain is complex, we made it very clear to both ASDA and Tesco that it should be about much more that the processor – retailer relationship. It is crucial that the needs of the farmers/producers are recognised and that supermarket policy across the board reflects transparency and fairness for all in the supply chain.”

The Committee will also hear from Sainsbury’s on Tuesday 3 November and Lidl later in the month.

Notes to Editors:

Committee Membership

Mr William Irwin – Chairperson

Mr Joe Byrne – Deputy Chairperson

Mr Sydney Anderson

Mrs Jo-Anne Dobson

Mr Declan McAleer

Mr Kieran McCarthy

Mr Ian McCrea

Mr Oliver McMullan

Mr Ian Milne

Mr Edwin Poots

Mr Robin Swann