Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 March 2021
1044. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if legislation being introduced for the proposed food ombudsman will have powers to deliver transparency within the beef sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13492/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government includes a commitment to:
Ensure fairness, equity, and transparency in the food chain by establishing a new authority called the National Food Ombudsman (NFO) to enforce the Unfair Trading Practices Directive. This new authority will enforce EU-wide rules on prohibited unfair trading practices in the food supply chain and will have powers to enforce this Directive, penalising those who breach regulations.
My Department is taking a two step approach to the establishment of the NFO (or equivalent office). Firstly, a statutory instrument will be drafted to transpose the UTP Directive by the deadline of 1st May 2021. This will provide for an Enforcement Authority which will have the powers as currently provided for in the Directive. The legislative and operational requirements for establishing a new Office of a Food Ombudsman or equivalent that might provide for functions other than those provided for in the UTP Directive are being examined. Primary legislation will be required both to establish this new authority, and to provide for any further powers which may be given to that office.
It is intended that there will shortly be a national consultation process on the possible functions of the NFO.
The UTP Directive does not address issues of price determination or negotiation. While the Programme for Government commitment provides that the new NFO (or equivalent office) will have a specific role in analysing and reporting on price and market data in Ireland, it is important to be aware that this authority will not have a role in determining price.
The Beef Taskforce work on price transparency, and the completion of the three market transparency studies commissioned by my Department, will be an important step towards improving visibility of the complex supply chain which is integral in fostering trust and enhancing supply chain relationships. These studies will act as an important starting point for driving increased transparency. It is more important than ever that we all work together given the unique set of challenges currently faced by the sector. Continued strong and constructive engagement in the Beef Taskforce is key to meeting these challenges.
