Farmers and fresh produce suppliers have been struggling to make any profit as a result of pressure from retailers to do more for less. IFA president Eddie Downey said everyone was entitled to a living wage, but not at the expense of someone else in the supply chain.

“Hundreds of small family-run vegetable suppliers and producers have been forced out of business over the last number of years by the aggressive pricing policies of retailers,” said Mr Downey. “Would Lidl like to tell its customers what they are going to do to ensure that farmers and others supplying them will get a living wage?”

Lidl has 143 stores nationwide and employs more than 3,800 staff. While most of its workers are already paid above the living wage, some 20% will see an increase in their pay packets as a result of this move.

Downey called on Lidl and other retailers to immediately move to pay all their suppliers a price that ensures primary producers in the food supply chain get a fair reward for their hard work and investment.

A living wage is an independently assessed and measured rate of income considered necessary to meet basic needs such as housing, food, clothing, transport and healthcare.

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