Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 76: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on the report of the Irish Farming Association entitled Equity in the Food Chain. [12015/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The increasing concentration of retail power in the hands of a few large supermarket chains is an international phenomenon, which has fundamentally changed the balance of market negotiating power in the food chain. I have emphasised at EU and national level the necessity for a reasonable balance between granting price reductions to consumers and giving a fair return to suppliers and producers to ensure fair play in trading conditions and sustainability of food supply within the EU. I am very pleased that the Spanish Presidency had committed itself to progressing the whole issue of improving the functioning of the food chain. There is a need for considerable improvement so that all players, including producers and consumers, receive fair treatment.