Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Food Industry

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 September 2020

Wednesday, 30 September 2020

Ceisteanna (282)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

282. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a national food ombudsman will be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27615/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The 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. The NFO will have a specific role in analysing and reporting on price and market data in Ireland.

Directive (EU) No. 2019/633, the Unfair Trading Practices (UTP Directive), must be transposed into Irish law by 1 May 2021. This can be done by way of a Statutory Instrument, but any measures that extend beyond the minimum harmonisation requirements of the UTP Directive will require primary legislation.

Therefore, I propose to adopt a two-step approach to this commitment.  

Firstly, my officials are currently drafting a proposal for a Statutory Instrument to directly transpose the UTP Directive as it stands.  Secondly, the legal requirements for the establishment of a new Office of a Food Ombudsman are also being considered, including the requirement for primary legislation in order to give that Office additional powers going beyond those in the UTP Directive.

Barr
Roinn