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Agriculture Industry

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 July 2021

Tuesday, 6 July 2021

Ceisteanna (594)

Patricia Ryan

Ceist:

594. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will establish an independent meat regulator with statutory powers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36268/21]

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Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy will be aware, there is a commitment in the Programme for Government for the establishment of a new authority to be called the National Food Ombudsman (NFO) or similar, to enforce the Unfair Trading Practices (UTP) Directive. A two-stage approach is being undertaken to deliver the commitment.

On 28th April, I signed Statutory Instrument No. 198 of 2021 which sets out the Regulations to give effect in Irish law to EU Directive No. 2019/633 on Unfair Trading Practices in business-to-business relationships in the agricultural and food supply chain. These Regulations came into effect from 1st July 2021 for new supply agreements for agricultural and food products.

One of the key principles of the UTP Directive is to protect farmers and other weaker suppliers of agricultural and food products against stronger buyers. These Regulations will help to provide that protection and are a significant step in progressing towards a more even playing field for our agricultural producers. The UTP Enforcement Authority required by the Directive will, pending the establishment of the new NFO or equivalent Office, operate in the Department and will have the necessary statutory powers to investigate complaints, carry out investigations on its own initiative and initiate legal proceedings for breaches of the UTPs prohibited under the Directive.

The establishment of the new NFO or equivalent Office requires primary legislation. The new Office, whose remit will include the meat sector, when established will have a specific role in analysing and reporting on price and market data in Ireland and will also incorporate the UTP Enforcement Authority functions. In addition to establishing the new Office, the primary legislation may introduce rules that go beyond those included in the UTP Directive. It is important to be aware, however, that the Office will not be able to determine commodity prices.

As the Deputy will be aware, the public consultation on the establishment of the new Office held by the Department ended on 11th June. The consultation sought views on extending the rules of the UTP Regulations as well as on what other functions may be assigned to the new Office. The Department is currently examining the submissions and recently held an information seminar on 25th June for stakeholders at which an overview of the submissions received was provided stakeholders were also reminded of their obligations under the new Regulations. The next step is to finalise the primary legislation.

The Programme for Government commitment is to establish the new Office to ensure fairness, equity, and transparency in the food chain and this must be delivered for suppliers of all agricultural and food products, including suppliers of meat products. I am fully committed to ensuring that the new Office will bring as much transparency as possible to all sectors within the agricultural and food supply chain. I will also ensure that the new Office has the appropriate statutory powers to enforce the legislation, when finalised, to ensure all suppliers will have assurance that there will be appropriate investigation of non-compliance with the requirements.

The outcome of the current consultation will help to determine the principles and policies to be included in the new legislation and the powers to be assigned to the new Office, so it is not possible to state at this stage what the primary legislation will include. However, I am satisfied with the new Office will provide a service that will help to enhance the position of all agricultural producers for all product sectors in the food supply chain, in a fair and equitable manner.

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