Pat O'Neill (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for attending the meeting. In her briefing paper on farm incomes it is stated income for dairy farmers will increase 19%, while in every other sector it will be down. It will fall by 40% for pig farmers and 9% for cattle and lowland sheep farmers. The milk quota is effectively gone in Northern Ireland. We have a concern about what will happen when quotas go here about how other farm types will be supported.

Will other farm types be supported or does the Minister have any vision in Northern Ireland about supporting those involved in suckler cow, sheep and pig farming and cereal production if the growth in the dairy sector continues?

The committee met most of the major retailers to discuss many subjects. On 10 February in the United Kingdom a grocery supply code of practice was introduced. I see that many of the points covered in it relate to how suppliers cannot be penalised for shrinkage. In other words, there will be no "hello money". The Minister has said that, in effect, it only relates to retailers with a turnover of €1 billion, of which I suppose there are ten in the United Kingdom. I do not know whether we would have any retailer as big as them. She has also said she has appointed a groceries adjudicator but that it is too early to say how this has worked. I would still welcome any comment from her on the groceries adjudicator. Has the person concerned enough powers and been able to act on behalf of the supplier and consumer against the major retailers? Is it working because we are looking at bringing forward a similar provision?