Donal Moynihan
Question:80 Mr. D. Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if the price paid to farmers for beef and pork is reflective of the price paid by the consumer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27469/98]
Written Answers. - Beef and Pork Prices.
Ivor Callely
Question:112 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the breakdown of margins on the sale of beef from the time the cattle are sold to the time beef is available for sale to butchers or retailers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27947/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 112 together.
Matters concerning consumer prices and market competition are under the remit of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
While the margin between the farmgate price and the retail price must take account of all the costs right through the food chain, the actual size of the margin will be determined by a number of factors including consumer preference, competition and other market forces. My Department does not have details of the level of margins at the various stages of the chain.
However, it is my view that a fall in producer prices of the level we have seen in both beef and pork should be reflected in a reduction in the retail price for those products. The most recent consumer price index data available for beef and pork suggest that prices paid by consumers for these products have in fact fallen in recent months compared with the corresponding period in 1997.
However, the Minister of State with responsibility for consumer affairs has had discussions with the retail outlets on the differential between farm and retail prices and that he impressed on them the Government's concerns in this regard. He has also asked the director of competition enforcement to take such action as he considers appropriate.