IFA President John Bryan has called for a ban on planning permissions exclusively for food retail space as part of the review by local authorities, which is examining the need for land that has been zoned in recent years.

According to Mr Bryan the local authorities should conduct a study that would ‘test the need’ for food retail space. “Already, there is 20% plus excess retail capacity in the market and it makes no sense to build more, which will only displace local jobs and businesses. Nobody gains as both consumers and farmers end up carrying the capital costs of this unnecessary expansion.”

Following the launch of Equity for Farmers in the Food Supply Chain in February, the IFA President has held meetings with the chief executives and senior management of the major supermarket retailers to highlight farmer concerns. He said he had delivered a clear message to the supermarket bosses that as the dominant players in the food supply chain they must take more responsibility to ensure primary producers are treated fairly and receive a price that rewards them fairly for their work. He acknowledged that most retailer bosses were aware of IFA’s concerns and welcomed the commitment of some to do more to support Irish produce and engage in proper labelling including voluntary country-of-origin.

Concluding, Mr Bryan said that one of the key issues raised at the meetings was the
persistent and excessive discounting of food and the downward pressure this puts on the price for the producer. “If retailers decide to engage in discount promotions as part of a strategy to boost sales, it cannot be at the expense of producers,” the IFA President stated.