IRELAND - ANTI SUPERMARKET CAMPAIGN.
Irish Farmers Association President Padraig Walshe has accused supermarket chain Tesco of using Irish meat, milk and vegetable suppliers as cannon fodder in a major struggle to save their market share and protect their profits.
He said: "Tesco’s tactics will squeeze producers and processors even harder at a time when the Irish food sector is under huge pressure, and farmers are already forced to produce at below the cost of production.
"On the same day as Tesco announced a major new pipeline for imports, we are seeing their real agenda which is to push Irish food processors, farmers and growers into the frontline in the latest round of supermarket wars.
"This really throws a major question mark over Tesco’s commitment to Irish produce. Irish food producers are fearful that they will become the next victims of Tesco’s new direct import policy.
The IFA President said let there be no doubt that this latest retail war is totally unsustainable for Irish farmers and growers.
Irish jobs and livelihoods will be lost as a result of Tesco’s grab to recover market share and shore up their profits.
He reminded consumers that only last month Tesco reported record profits of £3.1 billion and there is no record of retailers reducing their own profit margins to give sustainable better value to consumers.
Mr Walshe said Irish food processors must resist any strong arm tactics by retailers to maintain their own profits at the expense of Irish food producers.
He warned the multiples that farmers need a higher share of the consumer spend on food to remain viable, and to ensure the highest food standards that consumers expect.
