Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 March 2022
830. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to ensure better price transparency for farmers from processors and retailers; when this will occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11023/22]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the Programme for Government includes a commitment for a new office of National Food Ombudsman to enforce the Unfair Trading Practices (UTP) Directive and to have a role in analysing and reporting on price and market data in Ireland. The establishment of the new Office requires primary legislation, preparations for which are well advanced. I expect to bring a Memo to Government with the General Scheme of the Bill shortly.
In April 2021, I signed Statutory Instrument No. 198 of 2021 transposing the UTP Directive directly into Irish law before the 1st May deadline for transposition. At that time, I also established the UTP Enforcement Authority in my Department on an interim basis pending the finalisation of the primary legislation for the new Office.
The Enforcement Authority has been assigned all the necessary legal powers to investigate complaints from suppliers of agricultural and food products, to carry out investigations on its own initiative, and to initiate legal proceedings for breaches of the unfair trading practices defined in the Directive. It is open to those suppliers, including primary producers, to engage with the Enforcement Authority on any concerns they may have in relation to unfair trading practices.
The new Office will, in addition to taking over this enforcement function, also carry out a price reporting and market analysis function for the agri-food supply chain in Ireland, a function I believe will bring greater transparency to the sector.
The new Office will ensure the increased availability of market information with a view to strengthening the position of primary producers and other suppliers in the agricultural and food supply chain.
