Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The unfair trading practices directive takes over some of the roles which would previously have been carried out by the CCPC. One of the key functions, alongside the enforcement of the unfair trading practices directive, will be the capacity of the office to assess what is happening in the supply chain, to carry out reports and, indeed, to trace where margins are going within the supply chain, with a view to ensuring transparency and that an independent and credible office is carrying out that role. The key objective is to ensure parity for farm families, fishers and primary producers in respect of what is happening in the food supply chain. We must ensure that as much emphasis as possible is brought to ensuring those professionals are getting a fair deal and a fair price for the food they are producing. Obviously, that cannot be done by setting prices. The best way to do it is by assessing and shedding light on what is happening in the marketplace. We must put emphasis on the creation of a culture of respect for the primary producer. That is something which the office will have the capacity to do and which will be an important part of its function.