Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I would like to comment on the issue of food inflation and where we are with that debate at the moment. There is a debate out there on where the retailer is in all of this. I keep coming back to the point about the primary producers. We cannot have a situation where we are going to sort out food inflation by going back to the primary producers and looking for a cut in the price they are getting at the farm gate. If we do that, it will be a major step backwards. Realistically, the primary producers are the ones who are being squeezed on a continuous basis regarding margins. They are being pushed by big retailers on price on a continuous basis. They have also been involved in regulation and in ensuring that the product is sustainable and meets standards all the way through the supply chain itself. I am deeply concerned about this debate. The meeting that happened yesterday, which, unfortunately, did not include the primary producer, was a positive step. I welcome the meeting that is happening today with the primary producers. That is an important leg on the stool. We have to make sure that primary producers are involved in this debate all the way through, because there is significant worry and anxiety within that sector that what could happen here is that the big multinational supermarket chains will come back and look for another slice from the primary producers. The farming community cannot take that. We have seen costs go through the roof, including those for energy, fertiliser and feed, and increase by double digits all the way through the last 18 months. That is a huge concern. As I mentioned yesterday, I believe that a significant debate in this House is required. We need to have the senior and junior Ministers here so that we can debate these issues. I think the primary producers are not getting a fair shot here. In the contributions I have seen and heard, in many ways they are not even mentioned. That is the biggest issue.