Vol. 384 No. 6
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will immediately make an order to amend the Restrictive Practices (Groceries) Order, 1987 to include main crop and second early varieties of potatoes to protect them against the multi-national supermarkets having them as a loss-leader and selling them below cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
35.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he has completed his review of the Restrictive Practices (Groceries) Order, 1987; and whether he now intends to amend the order to include ware potatoes.
84.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if his attention has been drawn to below cost selling of potatoes; if he intends to take any action in the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 14, 35 and 84 together.
My attention has been drawn to allegations that potatoes are being sold below cost at retail level.
The Deputies will be aware that in May 1987 I signed the Restrictive Practices (Groceries) Order which among other things banned the retail sale of grocery goods below cost. Fresh vegetables together with other grocery goods particularly liable to deterioration were excluded from the scope of the order. In view of the fact that the imposition of a ban on below cost selling was seen by many as a major interference in the market place I decided that the order would be reviewed after it had been in operation for one year. The order came into effect on 11 December 1987 and it is, therefore, due for review next month. The question of including potatoes within the scope of the order will be examined in detail as part of this review. I have discussed this matter with the IFA and I am currently examining their submission on the effects of the exclusion of potatoes from the scope of the order. It would be premature, however, to give any indication of the likely outcome of the review at this point.
