Mr. Tim Cullinan:

The Deputy mentioned the CAP in his comments. It is a critical time for legislation such as this to be brought forward. We are all familiar with the debate surrounding the CAP. The funding model is changing from supporting farmers to produce food to ensuring that they comply with environmental measures. That is a fundamental shift in itself. It is critically important that we get his legislation right to ensure that we can get more back from the market to the primary producers. Looking at the situation in Ireland, a number of sectors sell predominantly to Irish retailers. We have seen, time and again, the impact that has had on those businesses. For example, there are only 100 horticultural producers left in the country. That demonstrates the impact it has had. Those producers are wholly dependent on Irish retailers. The liquid milk, pig and poultry sectors are predominantly dependent on the Irish retail sector. It is critical for those sectors and all the other sectors.

The Deputy mentioned the availability of information. We have been very clear on the issue from the start. Information relating to the whole supply chain must be made available. Otherwise, we will have failed. As he pointed out, we know what the primary producer is receiving. From there on, it is a mystery. That information must be made available. As we have been saying for a number of years, it is about equity and fairness in the supply chain. The UTP regulations will not do enough there. It is critically important that we implement the proper legislation to ensure that equity and fairness are delivered.

On the Deputy's question regarding membership of the board, it is critically important that primary producers have seats on the board. We must ensure that all the different sectors that are supplying and dealing with retailers are represented. Earlier this year, horticultural farmers were concerned about raising issues with retailers directly. They were approaching us and asking us to act as an intermediary between them and retailers. That is how serious the issue is. It is critically important that when the seats on the board are being allocated, people representing the primary producers in each of the sectors that are dealing with retailers are given a seat.