Consumers are being called on to look for relevant food quality and assurance logos when they go shopping for their Christmas dinner in the coming days.
The Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) is calling on shoppers to look for the Bord Bia quality assurance (QA) logos, and the National Dairy Council (NDC) logo for dairy products.
According to market analysis firm Kantar, shoppers spent €90 million on December 23 alone last year.
That date this year falls next Monday, with Kantar expecting that day to be single busiest day of the year for supermarkets.
Francie Gorman, the IFA president, said that work and investment by farmers “provides families with the highest-quality food and drink for the festive season”.
He called on consumers to double check what they are buying and always look for the Bord Bia QA and NDC marks to give them a guarantee that they are supporting local producers.
“Consumers are very fortunate to have world-class produce for their families to enjoy over Christmas. They recognise the commitment of farmers and growers and they can see the benefits the farming sector brings to our economy.
“We would ask them to be careful to check the origin of what they are buying.”
Gorman also said that retailers had a responsibility to pay a viable price to producers.
“Price wars are inherently damaging to growers, destabilising demand for their produce and creating the impression that costs of production are lower than they actually are,” the IFA president said.
Commenting on the Agri-Food Regulator (An Rialálaí Agraibhia), Gorman said that it has carried out “some valuable work” in its first year.
“Farmers expect this continue into 2025, in a bid to bring some fairness and transparency to the food chain,” Gorman added.
The Agri-Food Regulator’s first case for a breach of the Unfair Trading Practices (UTP) Regulation was finalised last Friday (December 13) at Ennis District Court, Co. Clare.
A fine of €1,000 was imposed by Judge Alec Gabbett on Asba Meats Ltd., Beechpark Logistics Centre, Smithstown Industrial Estate, Shannon, Co. Clare. The regulator was also awarded costs of €10,163.76.
The fine and the awarding of costs followed a conviction by Judge Gabbett on November 19, 2024 in the case taken by the Agri-Food Regulator against the meat processor following the non-payment for cattle delivered to the slaughter plant by a west of Ireland farmer.