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

A large number of producers are experiencing an increasing squeeze on prices. This is literally putting suppliers and farmers out of business. It is not just me that is saying this. Ms Mairead McGuinness, MEP, made a similar comment recently when she agreed with a suckler beef and tillage farmer from County Laois that the type of practices we are discussing are making it exceedingly difficult for businesses and farms to continue. Last year, the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine, which is chaired by a Fine Gael Deputy, stated that future supplies of milk could be endangered by the practice of below cost selling. Such is the squeeze on farmers producing milk that it is going to reduce future supply.

We also have a ludicrous situation whereby large retailers, such as the Tescos of this world, are selling alcohol below price and reclaiming tax on their sales. Through the tax code, the State is subsidising these retailers' as they sell products below price. Whenever the Minister sees a crate of beer on sale below cost in a large multiple, he should remember that his Government is subsidising the store to sell it. It is reasonable to give producers a fair price for their products. A fair price has to include a margin that is above the cost not under it.

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