Latest news with #Agri-FoodRegulator
Agriland
4 days ago
- Business
- Agriland
‘Transparency' must be instilled in Agri-Food Regulator
Transparency and confidence must be instilled in the Agri-Food Regulator according to a senator who has called on the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, to grant the regulator additional powers. Senator Victor Boyhan told the Seanad that Agri-Food Regulator 'should be in a position to produce the price and market reports' of the agri-food sector. 'The food regulator must carry out its functions. 'There must be reliable and verifiable sources of information it can stand over, so data is critical with regard to analysing the supply chain and the engagement and collaboration of all sides. The point about all sides is important,' the senator added. He also warned that if the regulator is to carry out its functions 'it must have the right to compel all information that is accurate and verifiable'. Agri-Food Regulator Responding in the Seanad, Minister Heydon said that the Bill that established the the regulator performs two key functions. The Minister added: 'It enforces the law on unfair trading practices, UTP, and it performs a price and market analysis and reporting function. 'Section 12 of the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Act 2023 requires the regulator to publish analysis of information about price and market data relating to the agricultural and food supply chain. 'Currently, in respect of that function, the act provides that the regulator may seek from businesses … any data impacting upon price and margins considered necessary.' However Minister Heydon also highlighted that currently the act does not permit the Agri-Food Regulator to 'compel' businesses to provide financial information that is not in the public domain. But it does provide that the minister may make regulations on price and market information. The Programme for Government also commits to giving the Agri-Food Regulator 'enhanced powers to ensure transparency in the food supply chain with regard to providing market information'. Minister Heydon told the Seanad: 'I am fully committed to ensuring that the regulator is equipped with the necessary powers to fulfil its statutory function, subject to the legislative and consultative process. 'I need to ensure that the powers granted are proportionate. 'My department and I are in discussions with the Agri-Food Regulator and other key stakeholders to see how this can be achieved.'
Agriland
20-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
TD: Food regulator has done ‘tangible' work but concern remains
A TD has said that the Agri-Food Regulator (An Rialálaí Agraibhia) has done 'tangible' work since its formation, but concern remains over obstacles to food suppliers engaging with the regulator. Independent TD Carol Nolan has described the work of the regulator to date as 'a tangible and hopeful indication that real progress is being made on redressing the financial power imbalance that has traditionally existed between farmers, suppliers and the retail sector'. She was speaking after attending the inaugural conference of the Agri-Food Regulator today (Tuesday, May 20). 'I have been consistently engaging with the work of the regulator, and indeed its precursor structure, the unfair trading practices (UTP) Enforcement Authority… So I'm delighted that it continues to operate with the level of forceful commitment that we all need to see.' However, Nolan also said: 'I do find it concerning, however, that issues I would have raised in June 2022 around fear of retaliation from the large retailers is still leading to lower-than expected levels of complaints being made.' Today's conference saw the presentation of the regulator's first Supplier Survey, which the body is aiming to carry out on an annual basis going forward. 'The feedback from the Supplier Survey findings that were discussed at the conference made it clear that there is still quite a way to go in terms of gaining the trust of farmers to lodge complaints if they feel they are being targeted with unfair trading practices,' she added. The Offaly TD acknowledged that some retailers 'are being much more proactive about this'. 'But what we really need to see is an equality of approach right across the board from all of the major [retailers]. Nolan called for the Agri-Food Regulator to be sufficiently staffed and resourced. 'We have the skeleton of an enforcement authority that is doing great work with what it has, but we now need to put proper flesh on the bones. That means more funding and more staff and if need be, more wide-ranging statutory powers,' she said. Agri-Food Regulator The chairperson of the Agri-Food Regulator has indicated that he is confident that the regulator will be afforded further powers in order to carry out its functions. Speaking to Agriland at the inaugural conference of the Agri-Food Regulator today (Tuesday, May 20), Joe Healy said that, with the powers the regulator currently has, it is not possible to 'get the full picture'. 'We're very straight, very independent and very honest with the businesses, but we want them to give us the information as well,' Healy said. 'We are happy, having met the minister…[that] the government is committed in the Programme for Government to giving us enough power to do our job, he said his department are treating it as a priority…and that it his intention as minister for agriculture to ensure that the Agri-Food Regulator has the powers to carry out the duties it was set up to do,' the regulator chairperson added.
Agriland
20-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
Watch: Agri-Food Regulator confident of further powers
The chairperson of the Agri-Food Regulator (An Rialálaí Agraibhia) has indicated that he is confident that the regulator will be afforded further powers in order to carry out its functions. Speaking to Agriland at the inaugural conference of the Agri-Food Regulator today (Tuesday, May 20), Joe Healy said that, with the powers the regulator currently has, it is not possible to 'get the full picture'. It emerged in February that the board of the Agri-Food Regulator had written to Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon to seek an 'urgent meeting'. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the regulator's request for additional powers, which would allow for the regulator to compel businesses in the agri-food supply chain to provide price and market information for reporting purposes. Speaking at today's conference, Healy explained why those powers were being sought, saying: 'The purpose is…that we be able to carry out our function, and unfortunately, up to now, while we've carried it out to the best of our ability, when you aren't getting the whole picture, there's always that vacuum. 'We're very straight, very independent and very honest with the businesses, but we want them to give us the information as well,' Healy added. 'We are happy, having met the minister…[that] the government is committed in the Programme for Government to giving us enough power to do our job, he said his department are treating it as a priority…and that it his intention as minister for agriculture to ensure that the Agri-Food Regulator has the powers to carry out the duties it was set up to do,' the regulator chairperson said. The purpose of today's conference was to discuss the results of the regulator's first Supplier Survey. The aim of the regulator is to carry out such a survey annually. While the survey noted a high level of supplier satisfaction with how buyers conduct their business, one-in-seven respondents still reported being subject to an unfair trading practice. Fear of commercial retaliation is one of the reasons cited for suppliers not engaging in the regulator's complaint process. Commenting on this, the CEO of the Agri-Food Regulator, Niamh Lenehan, told Agriland: 'What I would say is that, obviously, the regulator operates a confidential complaints service, but also, commercial retaliation is one of the unfair trading practices. 'So my message is, suppliers, please come forward in confidence. We don't even need to know your name,' Lenehan added. The Supplier Survey saw the regulator work with eight businesses, with the aim that those businesses would send the survey out to their suppliers. While six of those businesses engaged in that process, two did not. Commenting on this, Lenehan said: 'I'm very disappointed, but next year, we intend that this will be an annual survey, and that it would be part of what we do on an annual basis. So there's lots of of opportunity [for those businesses] to still get involved and give a voice to their suppliers.'
Agriland
20-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
1-in-7 agri-food suppliers report unfair trading practices
One-in-seven agri-food suppliers have reported being subject to unfair trading practices (UTPs) according to a survey carried out for An Rialálaí Agraibhia (Agri-Food Regulator). The regulator has released the findings of its first supplier survey which gathered feedback from agri-food suppliers on their experiences of trading with eight specific buyers in the retail and wholesale sectors. Conducted by Coyne Research, the Agri-Food Regulator's Suppliers Survey covered two main areas: compliance with the UTP regulations; and other general trading issues. The survey provided feedback on over 940 trading relationships. The results of the survey form the basis of the inaugural conference of the Agri-Food Regulator, which is being held today (Tuesday, May 20). The regulator said that results indicate an overall high level of supplier satisfaction with how buyers conduct their business. While a 'high level of compliance' with the UTP regulations was also noted, the survey found that one-in-seven respondents still report being subject to an unfair trading practice. The two most common issues faced being faced by respondents were being required to pay for loss or deterioration of a product, and delayed payments. Lack of awareness on rights, and the wish to maintain long-term relationships, where cited ad the key reasons for suppliers not raising issued with buyers. Furthermore, less than half the respondents were aware that the regulator's compliant procedure is confidential. The year ahead for agri-food suppliers 70% of suppliers said that cost increases and inflation were the biggest concern for the year ahead. Commenting on these results, CEO of the Agri-Food Regulator, Niamh Lenehan said: 'I'm pleased to release the findings from what we intend to be an annual suppliers survey. 'We are grateful to those six businesses who cooperated with the regulator to distribute the survey to their agri-food suppliers – Aldi Ireland, BWG Foods, Lidl Ireland, Marks and Spencer Ireland, Musgrave Group and Tesco Ireland. 'I very much welcome these survey findings which will be used to inform our work programme for the year ahead. 'This will include using the information received to progress the development of guidelines for buyers, and the conducting of further risk-based inspections with respect to compliance with unfair trading law,' she said. Lenehan did admit that she is concerned that 14% of respondents reported experiences that they characterised as unfair trading practices. She said it was concerning that some suppliers reported that they may not raise a potential breach of the regulations with either the buyers or the regulator. 'Fear of retaliation and potential damage to trading relationships are clear concerns expressed and which then potentially impact negatively on the efficient functioning of the supply chain. 'With less than half of the respondents aware that the regulator operates a confidential complaint process, we acknowledge that we have a significant amount of work to do in creating greater understanding and awareness of unfair trading practices and the role of the regulator,' Lenehan said. The conference taking place today will also examine wider aspects of the agri-food landscape – including the biggest challenges facing suppliers in the year ahead, and the progress being made at national and EU level towards greater transparency for primary producers.
Agriland
19-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
Minister urged to grant additional powers to Agri-Food Regulator
The Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) president Francie Gorman has called on Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon to grant additional powers to the Agri-Food Regulator (An Rialálaí Agraibhia). The office of the Agri-Food regulator, which was established in December 2023, is concerned with promoting fairness and transparency in the agri-food supply chain. It has responsibility for enforcement of the Unfair Trading Practices (UTPs) Directive and also has a market data analysis and price transparency function. Agri-Food Regulator The IFA president said that additional powers are needed so the Agri-Food Regulator can compel businesses in the agri-food supply chain to provide price and market information when requested. 'After 18 months in operation, the minister must act now and grant these additional powers that will allow the office to compel businesses to provide necessary market information when requested. The current powers are clearly not sufficient,' Gorman said. 'IFA is aware of a number of large retailers that did not provide information to the Agri-Food Regulator when asked. 'The office should be in a position to produce price and market reports on all sectors of the food supply chain. 'IFA is aware that the Agri-Food Regulator reported back to the minister for agriculture in September 2024 on the initial establishment of the office and indicated the need for these additional powers. 'This request has not been acted upon to date, but the IFA president said now is the time to grant these additional powers. 'This office is critical to providing a more even playing pitch for farmers and smaller suppliers in the food supply chain and to lessen the impact of a few large retailers or multinational food companies,' he added. Meanwhile, the Agri-Food Regulator will hold its inaugural conference at the Johnstown Estate Hotel, Co. Meath tomorrow (Tuesday, May 20). The regulator will announce the findings of its survey into trading relationships between suppliers of agri-food products to the largest Irish retail and wholesale businesses. The event will also examine the move at national and EU-level towards greater transparency and fairness for primary producers, following on from the recent publication of the EU Commission's 'Vision for Agriculture and Food'.
