Paul Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am a little disappointed by the lack of range in the directive. It seems tokenistic compared with what I hoped for. From my reading of it - correct me if I am wrong - it basically legalises the policing of contracts. The measures proposed by the directive already exist for suppliers, producers and retailers under contracts of supply. Breach of contract is addressed by European, Irish and international law. The directive seems to be a duplication of contract policing. I would like to hear Ms McPhillips's comments on those observations.

All members present are from a farming background. I was hoping for something that would police and break down cartel buying but this document contains nothing to address that. It addresses contracts with existing customers and farmers who supply produce but we will still have the situation whereby a farmer selling to a multinational will be a price taker. While there is no such thing as an official cartel, multinationals have cartel-like buying power. That was the kernel I wanted to see addressed in this legislation. Farming organisations and the farming public hoped that this directive would give the small-time farmer supplier some rights and power in negotiating contracts and price with the larger multinationals. I do not see any of that provided for in the directive.