Horticulture Grower-Retail Charter Must Deliver for Growers

IFA President Francie Gorman said the Horticulture Grower-Retail Charter announced this week is a significant step toward a sustainable future for our horticulture growers.

“We have seen a significant decline in the number of commercial growers in the country over the last 20 years.  Everybody in the food chain has a role to play in producing top-quality food, but without growers willing to make the investment in the first place, the other elements will not follow.”

IFA, representing growers, has led the development of this Retail Charter and worked with both retailers and members of the Horticultural Industry Forum (HIF) to bring this Charter to a reality where it will strengthen the position of growers in the supply chain.

“The measure of success here will be how growers view their future in a few years’ time. Morale has taken a battering in the sector and the six grocery retailers who have signed up will have to match their words with actions. Everybody would like to see more locally-grown Irish produce on the shelf, but that will not happen unless there is a greater understanding of the precarious position that growers are in,” he said.

Francie Gorman said IFA will continue to work with others in HIF to place growers at the centre of discussions.

“It’s very difficult to ask growers to make long-term commitments when their daily pressures are very real. If everybody across the sector is willing to recognise this, then the Charter has a chance to make a difference,” he said.