IFA complains about low meat prices in the retails of Ireland

IFA President Tim Cullinan has led delegations to meetings with retailers in the last week to highlight the severe loss-making situation for many farmers due to escalating costs. "Poultry and pig farmers are at crisis point. Without an immediate increase in returns, these sectors cannot continue without casualties," he said.IFA spelled out to retail management that using food, particularly from sectors under such severe financial strain, in cut-price promotions is very damaging and ultimately undermines the value of what farmers produce.Tesco, SuperValu, Centra and Lidl management have all met and listened to IFA concerns around farmers’ production costs and the impact on the viability of farmers. These retailers have committed to engaging directly with their suppliers of Irish chicken, eggs, pork and bacon, along with fruit and vegetables growers, that they deal with. A substantial portion of the produce from these three sectors is sold on the retail shelves in Ireland. “These ...