Teagasc Activities

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2023

Tuesday, 7 November 2023

Questions (957)

Colm Burke

Question:

957. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider expanding the role of Teagasc to establish a register of Irish vegetable growers and a specific marketing body through which Irish vegetable growers would supply to and from which Irish supermarkets would be obliged to purchase from, and the Teagasc body would have first-hand information on the cost of vegetable production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48798/23]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Teagasc was established as a state agency under the Agriculture (Research, Training and Advice) Act, 1988, to provide advisory, research and training services in agriculture.

It is important to note that Teagasc has no regulatory functions and any commercially related activities such as proposed by the Deputy are outside its remit, and would only serve to undermine their independence, which is crucial to Teagasc's operations.

My Department and Teagasc both actively support growers in joining or forming producer organisations, which allow them to collectively negotiate with suppliers and customers.