Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Michael Healy-Rae was “very disappointed” to learn that one of Ireland’s "major carrot growers" is ceasing production.

Earlier this week, the High Court ruled that Hughes Agriculture and Farming Limited “be wound up” and a liquidator appointed.

The company was based in Kells, Kilkenny, and its farm consisted of 700ac of crops, including carrots, parsnips, pumpkins, cereals, flower bulbs, onions and grassland.

Minister Healy-Rae said: “This concerning news underlines the fact that everyone along the food chain has a responsibility to support Irish production and producers - from the supermarkets to the consolidators to the consumers.

“Consumers rely on supermarkets and the consolidators that serve them to do the right thing and pay fair prices to growers for their produce."

He added: “With a sustainable price for produce there is an opportunity to simultaneously support Irish growers and reduce Ireland’s reliance on imports." 

Strategy

Minister Healy-Rae went on to describe an initiative to help the horticulture industry.

He said: “As part of Ireland’s National Strategy for Horticulture, the IFA (Irish Farming Association) is leading on the development of a retail charter which is designed to improve long term relationships and better understanding between growers and supermarkets.

“I understand that the development of the charter is progressing and I urge all parties to progress this good work.

He added: “As a businessman myself I genuinely appreciate the challenges that growers face – with extreme weather events a particular challenge.

“Last year we had Storm Éowyn, this year we have had relentless rain which has increased the costs of getting root crops out of the land.” 

‘Sector needs support’

Separately, Green Party councillor and deputy mayor of Kilkenny City, Maria Dollard said that her thoughts were “with the Hughes family and with their employees at this difficult time”.

She added that the horticulture sector “needs support to survive and we need our independent growers for our food security particularly during an energy crisis when the cost of imported foods and fertiliser costs will only continue to rise”.

Also separately, Carlow-Kilkenny Fine Gael TD Catherine expressed her “deep sadness” at the “potential loss of up to 45 jobs” at Hughes Farming Limited.

Deputy Callaghan said: “This is a devastating blow for the workers, their families and the wider community in Kells.”