Written answers
Thursday, 11 March 2010
Department of Agriculture and Food
Food Industry
4:00 pm
Máire Hoctor (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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Question 21: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on whether there is a need to improve the functioning of the food supply chain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11862/10]
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.
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