Vol. 505 No. 3
47 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a pilot study will be carried out on the levels of margins in view of the huge variance between the sale of cattle for slaughter and the sale of meat through food chains; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13460/99]
My Department is responsible for collecting price data at producer level and these are reported weekly to the EU Commission. Data relating to consumer prices are collected by the Central Statistics Office and published on a monthly basis. The margin between the producer price and the retail price is a function of market forces, consumer preference and the relative negotiating strengths of each sector along all elements of the food chain. It is my view that, other things being equal, lower producer prices should be reflected in lower prices at retail level. However, matters concerning consumer prices and market competition are under the remit of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
In view of the fact that data are already collected at the various points in the food chain by various institutions and in light of existing legislation in the area of consumer protection and competition, the establishment of a pilot study as suggested is unnecessary.
