Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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473. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in view of the concerns raised in the draft Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 regarding the relative position of farmers and the major multiples, the measures proposed in the programme to address this imbalance; the other steps that he is proposing in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34477/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The process of developing the draft RDP has been a lengthy and complex one. As part of this process a comprehensive Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis , a needs assessment, and multiple stages of stakeholder consultations were carried out. This analysis served to provide a comprehensive outline of the policy context and environment underpinning the draft RDP submitted to the EU Commission in July, 2014. One particular issue which arose as part of this process is the position of farmers and primary producers in the market place. In recognition of this issue, the draft RDP includes provision for support to artisan food producers, regional product development, and marketing and processing support for particular sectors. These supports are to be delivered via the LEADER mechanism, and an allocation of €15m has been set aside for them.

Similarly, an initiative which has the potential for strengthening the position of producers in the supply chain is the development of Producer Organisations. Producer Organisations provide a vehicle for producers to co-ordinate and collaborate in areas such as quality improvement, product development, promotion and marketing. In addition to providing for the possibility to recognise Producer Organisations in the dairy sector in the near future, my Department has also initiated a consultation process to consider how Producer Organisations might also contribute to a more sustainable supply chain in the beef sector. The deadline for receipt of comments through this consultation process is 19th September 2014, and I would welcome a contribution from any stakeholder to that process.

It is also important to note that the Consumer Protection and Competition Bill will commence on 31 October 2014. This Bill provides for the statutory regulation of certain practices in the grocery sector in the form of regulations with associated sanctions and new investigation and enforcement powers.  The regulations will prohibit many unfair practices including the compelling of payments for the allocation and retention of shelf space and compelling a supplier to obtain any goods or services from particular third parties.