Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to correct the record. It was Lidl that said it was going to buy cattle at over 30 months. It is very important because Lidl was willing to go against cartel-like behaviour by all the other retailers. It was quite an important development at the time. Going back to the 30 months, the price the processors are paid by the retailers is important. They are not going to give that out unless they are forced to do so.

Section 58(5) states:

Agri-Food Unfair Trading Regulations may prohibit a requirement for the supplier to bear all or part of the cost of any discounts on agricultural and food products that are sold by the buyer as part of a promotion unless the buyer, prior to a promotion that is initiated by the buyer, specifies the period of the promotion and the expected quantity of the agricultural and food products to be ordered at the discounted price.

Even that will still enable buyers to force producers to pay for the cost of the promotion in the supermarkets. They will not have any choice around that if they want an outlet for their product. I look forward to discussing the Bill in greater detail. Those are two of the flaws I see at the moment. I welcome the fact that the Minister is moving it forward at last.

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