Supermarkets

Growers could plant more efficient varieties of potatoes, but the consumer is not looking for them, an agronomist told the national potato conference.

Relatively strong beef price takes the focus off the gap that has developed with UK.

Shoppers buying more beef and lamb in Britain despite higher prices.

Irish factories buying in euro and selling in sterling win with strong sterling.

Speaking at the National Ploughing Championships, Commissioner Mairead McGuinness said there needs to be joined-up thinking from all sides on what farmers are being asked to do.

How food is presented and marketed in supermarkets is important to consumers.

The CAP wants farmers to lead society to a more conscious form of consumption, but food production has always been demand-led. It's unchartered territory, with obvious risks in a global marketplace.

Jim Mulhall said he was taken aback when he realised at a recent farm open day how many people have not had exposure to farms.