The bill for supervision of marketing margins in fruits and vegetables, initiated by the Chairman of the Cultivators Lobby in the Knesset, MK Zevulun Kalfa, in cooperation with the Israel Consumer Council, the Israeli Farmers Association and a number of Knesset members, has been lately approved by the Ministerial Committee for Legislation.
Besides MK Kalfa (HaBayit HaYeHudi – the Jewish Home), the following Knesset Members have signed the bill: Itzhik Shmuli (Avoda - Labor), Amar Bar-Lev (Avoda), Yaakov Margi (Shass), Moshe Gafni (Yahadut Hatorah – United Torah Judaism), Adi Koll (Yesh Atid – There is a Future ), Ayelet Shaked (HaBayit HaYeHudi), Yifat Kariv (Yesh Atid) and Aliza Lavie (Yesh Atid).
The bill, which resulted on unprecedented collaboration between consumers and farmers through the Israel Consumer Council and the Farmers Association, will allow fair prices to consumers, so that all citizens of Israel may enjoy fresh products from Israeli agriculture. In addition, the bill will reduce the marketing margin between farmers and retailers that might be imputable for the supply and demand as well as for the high prices level to consumers and low price level to farmers.
MK Zevulun Kalfa, Chairman of the Cultivators Lobby in the Knesset, "In the last six years, the prices of vegetable prices in Israel have soared by 30%, while at the same time, the prices have raised in the Eurozone by only 12%. The rate of this rise is very worrisome.
The bill we have submitted will put an end to the intermediaries' piggery who make money at the expense of both the consumer and the cultivator. I am glad that the ministerial committee saw fit to uphold a law supported by MKs from across the political spectrum".
Consumer Council CEO, Lawyer Mr. Ehud Peleg says that the proposal would put an end to high profit margins discriminating both farmers and consumers. When there is no self-restraint, external restraint is necessary in order to ensure fair market of fruits and vegetables in Israel.
Farmers Association President, Mr. Dubby Amitaï, "mediation gap is the central link in the chain of the cost of living. This represents a salary and a half a year in terms of minimum wages.
