Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)

I would like such framework to be legally enforceable and to have teeth. I am in no doubt about that. However, doing that takes longer in the legislative cycle than putting in place a voluntary code. We need to do both. We must, first, send out the signal that this is an urgent matter that cannot wait until a perfect solution is found and, second, we must create the expectation that a framework with legal enforceable teeth will be in place as soon as possible. Reliance on the supermarket as the gateway for food is equally a part of the overall issue that needs to be addressed. There is less reliance in other European member states on the supermarket as a route to market than exists in this country. It is not an easy issue to tackle. Until we create healthy alternatives to supermarkets as a route to market, thus ensuring the supermarket is not the only show in town, the multiples will continue to make matters difficult for suppliers resulting in suppliers being price takers rather than price makers.

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