The bill to oversee marketing gaps in fruits and vegetables, initiated by the chairman of the Knesset agricultural lobby, MK Zevulun Kalfa, in collaboration with the Israeli Consumer Council, the Farmers' Association in Israel, and a number of Knesset members, was approved today by the Ministerial Committee for Legislation.
The bill was born from an unprecedented collaboration between consumers and farmers, through the Israeli Consumer Council and the Farmers' Association in Israel. The bill is intended to enable fair prices for consumers by reducing the marketing gap between farmers and retailers, which can dictate supply and demand and the level of prices high for consumers and low for farmers.
In addition to MK Kalfa (Jewish Home), the bill was signed by MKs Itzik Shmuli (Labor), Amar Bar Lev (Labor), Yaakov Margi (Shas), Moshe Gafni (United Torah Judaism), Adi Kol (Yesh Atid), Ayelet Shaked (Jewish Home), Yifat Kariv (Yesh Atid) and Aliza Lavie (Yesh Atid).
MK Zevulun Kalfa said: ""In the last six years, vegetable prices in Israel have jumped by 301%, while in the Eurozone countries, prices have risen by only 121% over the same period. This rate of price increase is very worrying.".
"The bill we submitted will put an end to the greed of middlemen who profit at the expense of farmers and consumers. I am glad that the ministerial committee saw fit to support a law that was supported by members of Knesset from all ends of the political spectrum.""
CEO of the Israeli Consumer Council, Attorney Ehud Peleg Says the proposal will put an end to the high brokerage gaps that plague farmers and consumers alike. When there is no self-restraint, external restraint is needed to ensure a fair market in Israel for fruits and vegetables.
President of the Farmers' Association of Israel, Dubi Amitai: ""The brokerage gap is the central link in the cost of living chain. This is a saving of one and a half salaries per year in minimum wage terms.".
The bill will put an end to retail greed and the market failure that causes consumers to pay hundreds of percent more for basic products like fruits and vegetables than the price growers receive. Any attempt to lower prices without supervision, such as through imports, is doomed to failure, and we have already proven this with the prices of apples and beef that are imported at a discounted price and sold to consumers at extortionate prices.".
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