New law set to protect Mayo farmers from 'cartel-like behaviour'

A Mayo TD has welcomed the Agriculture and Food Supply Chain Bill 2022 which she stated is "long-awaited."

Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh said farmers in Mayo desperately need this legislation - "but we need it to mean something."

She elaborated: "A number of things need to be done in order to get this legislation right.

"I ask the Minister of Agriculture to work with Oireachtas members to make sure we get it right because it is a one-off opportunity.

"The reason for the legislation is the reporting of the cartel-like behaviour that farmers have experienced.

"We have heard that from the farming organisations, farmers themselves and many others over the years.

"The regulator must have real teeth and the pricing data must be available.

"There is no point in giving people data that are already available.

"The evidence has to be gathered and we cannot gather the evidence of bad behaviour if we do not have these data.

"It is vital that these data are gathered and made publicly available so that the contrast can be drawn.

"We have an opportunity to get this right and we must do so.

"We owe that to the farmers in Mayo and across this country who have waited for this legislation for so long."