Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Michael Creed has called for the strengthening of farmers’ weakened position in the food supply chain, following a meeting with EU agriculture ministers in Slovakia.

The minister noted that the issue has been ongoing for some time and medium-term, structural measures are needed, rather than short-term solutions.

Speaking following the meeting, the minister said more needs to be done “to address the current imbalance between the various actors in the food supply chain, which places farmers in a weak position”.

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Calling for responses

Fellow ministers called for responses in areas including, cooperation between all members in the food chain, improved dealings with unfair trading practices and improving the availability of market and pricing information.

The minister concluded by calling for “a more active Commission interest in EU legislation”, along with changes to the legislative framework which would help farmers to lower costs, promote competition and run their businesses with a more innovative approach.

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