Vol. 502 No. 4
54 Mr. Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the discussions, if any, she has had with retailers to pass on to the consumer the current low price which farmers are receiving for their beef; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5257/99]
The Deputy will be aware that I have met a number of large retail multiples to discuss the concern among consumers that falling farm gate prices have not been reflected in retail prices in the shops. The multiples maintained, in general, that reductions in the prices which they pay to processors have been reflected in their retail prices and the most recent CSO data would indicate that some, at least, of the reductions in farm producer prices have been passed on to consumers.
