Vol. 505 No. 3
58 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his attention has been drawn to the fact that bulk buying of fruit and vegetables by the major supermarkets is putting considerable pressure on producers and small wholesalers; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that the quality of the produce is often inferior; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13638/99]
The continuing concentration of demand in the retail grocery sector and the associated central distribution systems has resulted in a need for reorganisation and investment by producers and those involved in conditioning, packaging and distribution.
In the fruit and vegetable sectors these developments were anticipated in the reform of the common organisation of the market with its emphasis on ongoing support for producer organisation programmes. In addition special priority was given to fruit and vegetable projects, involving investment in post harvest packaging and distribution facilities, in recent rounds of FEOGA funding and national aid.
There is no reason why produce should now be inferior and there is little evidence to support the view that there is any deterioration in quality.
