The agroecology and small-scale production advocacy group Talamh Beo has said that the recently agreed 'charter' on Irish horticulture by several large retailers will not address the 'crisis' in the sector.

It was announced last week that six leading retailers had agreed to the principles in a new 'Irish Horticulture Grower-Retail Charter' which is aimed at supporting Irish growers and local produce.

Aldi, Dunnes Stores, Lidl, Marks & Spencer, SuperValu, Centra (both part of Musgrave Group) and Tesco have all made the commitment.

The retailer charter has been developed as part of the National Strategy for Horticulture 2023-2027.

However, Talamh Beo said that, while the retail charter is a "first step", local food farms should be recognised and resourced "if we want a real change in how we feed ourselves".

The group is calling for formal recognition of 'local food farms', as well as a basic income for 'local food farmers', and support for local food infrastructure such as community food hubs.

According to Talamh Beo, supermarkets and conventional supply chain solutions "fail to address the structural crisis in Irish horticulture, where as much as 80% of fruit and vegetables remain imported".

The group added that, while fair trading conditions for larger growers are necessary, "true national food resilience means expanding domestic production capacity, by establishing and supporting decentralised local food networks".

Talamh Beo operational group member Janet Power commented: "The new charter is a step toward fairer trading, but it doesn't offer a pathway towards building a better functioning food system.

"It's not just a case of better supermarket terms; we need to embrace a more diversified production and distribution system; we need more farmers growing food in every county, directly feeding their own communities," Power added.

According to Talamh Beo, there is an "invisible network" of over 350 local food farms around the country, with around 180 of those involved in horticulture.

The group said that these producers "remain largely unrecognised in official policy and on the fringes of existing subsidy and payment systems".

Talamh Beo is calling on the government to formally recognise these 'local food farms' within national agricultural policy and provide appropriate supports, including local infrastructure, community hubs, public pathways and other measures.

The group has also called for a basic income for local food farmers, guaranteeing stability for farmers supplying domestic markets.

Thomas O'Connor, one of Talamh Beo's directors, said: "If we want to protect Ireland from global supply shocks and climate volatility, the government must guarantee a basic livelihood for local growers and fund the community infrastructure needed to feed our town and villages."