Meath producers can benefit from new competition and consumer legislation – McEntee

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Helen McEntee, has welcomed the publication of new competition and consumer legislation, saying that many agricultural producers in Meath stand to benefit from it. Deputy McEntee was speaking in the Dáil this week during the Second Stage debate on the Competition and Consumer Protection Bill 2014.

“I strongly welcome the publication of the Competition and Consumer Protection Bill 2014. It has been long awaited by many and it will have positive impacts on the agricultural sector and in particular small producers.  

“Meath has a fantastic reputation when it comes to the quality of its food and it’s local produce. I regularly meet with local growers and small producers and unfortunately there is a sense that there isn’t a fair balance amongst all stakeholders. This has been apparent for a long time and realistically it has left us with a situation where a lot of our local small growers have not been able to sustain their businesses.

“This is why I particularly welcome the section of the new legislation focusing on grocery goods and regulating codes of practise in the sector. Most people that I speak to are often prepared to pay that little bit more to keep it Irish, to get fresh, local produce, and to support their local businesses. These new regulations will go that little bit further in ensuring that we continue to see Irish produce on our shelves.

“The merging of the National Consumer Agency and the Competition Authority (CCPC) will hopefully create a strong oversight body that will do the work of an Ombudsman. It will have full legislative force and will be enforceable by law which is something I welcome. People on the ground need to feel they are being protected completely.

“One issue I raised during the Dáil debate is the requirement for a company to have an annual worldwide turnover of €50 million in order to enter into the contract. This is fine for the small grower who deals directly with the likes of Tesco, Aldi or Lidl, all of which I’m sure have a turnover of over €50 million every year, but it could present issues for those who sell their produce to a middleman or a distribution company which does not have such a large annual turnover. I think we need to look at lowering this threshold. I also have some concerns around the issue of retention of title, which is not currently addressed in the Bill. This is a problem that many farmers and suppliers have to deal with when a company goes bust. By right, the goods should still belong to the farmer or producer until money has changed hands. I am working to ensure that these issues are addressed in the Bill at Committee stage.  

“Overall however this new Bill protects the interests of small farmers and growers and I strongly welcome it. I look forward to further contributing to the legislation and engaging with the Minister Minister for Jobs Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton TD as it passes through the Oireachtas.”