Michelle Mulherin (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I would like to be associated with the expressions of sympathy to the families of those who lost their lives during Storm Ophelia.

I welcome the initial responses to the public consultation conducted by the agricultural markets task force established by EU Commissioner Hogan. This task force seeks to introduce fairness into the European food supply chain, particularly in respect of the agricultural sector.It is particularly welcome that a majority of stakeholders, non-governmental organisations, NGOs, member states, farmers' groups, and the list goes on, are saying that the weak position of farmers in the food supply chain needs to be addressed and changed at EU level. We know, and I have raised this several times, that the weak position of the farmer causes problems in regard to his income and the sustainability of farming. Farmers are at the mercy of big meat factories and multiple retailers. That is well known. When this public consultation is concluded. the European Commission needs to formulate a response. I have no doubt that is what Commissioner Hogan will do. I would like us to extend an invitation to him. This is a critical issue for farmers. They complain repeatedly that they produce meat, vegetables etc. which are sold as loss leaders in multiple retailers. They are victims of the pricing in factories and they face myriad problems because of their position. There are ways and means, including the potential use of value-sharing agreements, to ensure that bonuses and losses resulting from evolutions in market prices are shared. It would be opportune to bring in the Commissioner as the EU response is being formulated in order that we can make an input into that.