Poultry farmers stage 24-hour protest

Poultry farmers from across the region flocked to local Lidl supermarkets this morning (Tuesday) for a 24-hour protest to highlight the difficulties experienced by the sector.

Organised by the local IFA, the gathering commenced at 11am and saw the farmers maintain a presence outside the retail giant until 11am tomorrow morning (Wednesday), January 26.

Vice chairman of the Poultry Committee Brendan Soden said the assembled farmers took the action to highlight concerns about their future: “Lidl are selling a full chicken for €3.49 this week. This price is just unsustainable for producers.”

The poultry farmers have called on all Irish supermarkets to increase the prices they pay for produce to allow them recover costs they are “forced to absorb”.

Although the German discounter claims it is absorbing the cost of the promotion.

“What we are looking for is a 15c increase per chicken and a 2c increase for eggs – that is hardly an exorbitant demand,” Mr Soden told the Celt as a large group of farmers gathered outside the supermarket for their 24 hours of action.

Today's demonstration is a follow on from a protest staged in the run up to Christmas. Despite that action, there was no improvement in the farmers’ lot. “They don’t seem to have paid any attention. There has been very little interaction from them. Producers prices have spiralled over the last couple of months. All we want is cost recovery to stay in business,” the Poultry Committee vice chair said.

Brendan says the cost reductions of supermarkets impact the prices paid to farmers: “It’s the people supplying them that takes the hit. When things are on special offer, it’s the supplier that feels the pain. The retailer always maintain their margin.”

The IFA spokesperson says he hopes local shoppers will get behind the farmers’ campaign to ensure the producers get a fair price: “On the continent, they know the value of Irish produce. The quality is assured and it is of the highest standards. Ireland is a green country, we are an agricultural country. We hope that consumers will hear what we have to say here today.”

Speaking to the Celt about the protest IFA Poultry chairman Andy Boylan said the price cut by the retailer undermines efforts poultry farmers are making to get a fair price: “It is totally unacceptable. The price of everything is going up. There has been unprecedented levels of inflation in the last 12 months.

“Supermarkets are accustomed to buying food below the cost of production for the last 30 years because food was subsidised by the EU. That’s no longer the case. All those supports are now going into environmental schemes,” Mr Boylan explained.

In response to a query from The Anglo-Celt about the protest, head of communications with Lidl Ireland & Northern Ireland, Aoife Clarke stated: “Like all retailers Lidl operates weekly promotional specials under our ‘Super Savers’ range. Lidl bears the costs of all promotional items and the supplier receives the contracted price.”