About 200 farmers demanded better prices for their produce during protests at supermarket chains in Portlaoise, Co Laois yesterday.
The Irish Farmers’ Association says some producers are being forced out of business with fuel hikes of 30 per cent, feed price increases and a 25 per cent rise in fertiliser prices since 2010.
IFA president John Bryan said farmers would “no longer stand by and allow retailers ignore the escalating costs primary producers have to deal with”.
He called for “long overdue” national and EU legislation to “restore equity in the food supply chain” and said the consumer should not necessarily have to foot the bill.
“Feed, fuel and fertiliser have all risen to the extent that input costs are threatening the viability of family farms,” he said.
“Retailers cannot continue to ignore the impact of these increases and must return a price that covers production costs and a margin.” According to the IFA president, retailers needed to recognise the “intense pressure” the poor summer had placed on the farming community.
He accused Minister for Enterprise Richard Bruton of inaction over a Fine Gael commitment to farmers.