Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees
Thursday, 18 April 2013
Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Groceries Sector: Discussion (Resumed)
9:50 am
Mr. Donald Mackay:
I will answer the question on the code of practice and Mr. O'Connor will answer the question on the supply of milk, specifically winter milk. The introduction of a food adjudicator in the United Kingdom is still in its early stages. Aldi considers this approach to be unproven, although it does not oppose the measure. We would not be opposed to the introduction of a similar body here and would comply with any measure introduced. We are not concerned about what would be introduced, whether voluntary or statutory. Our concern is to ensure that whatever is introduced works. If it does not, the administration and its burden and cost will apply, but we will not be any further forward. We are not convinced and do not have enough exposure to the food adjudicator to know whether it will be successful. We are, however, concerned and remain to be convinced that it will not impose an additional cost burden which will almost certainly be passed on to consumers.
No comments