Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

My amendment No. 72 is roughly the same. The majority of the population is actually in favour of legislation to ensure that farmers and other suppliers get fair prices. Three out of ten people believe that below cost selling of vegetables is of long-term benefit to consumers. In reality, below cost selling of products will not bring average or complete benefits to consumers. However, it does put fierce pressure on suppliers. It also reduces the understood value of a product in the view of consumers.

In recent times we have seen some German multiples selling vegetables at extremely low levels. At a time when a lot of food is being thrown out and food waste levels are high, that type of behaviour is accelerated when individual consumers can pick up products at such low prices. I therefore ask the Minister to support the amendment.

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