Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The key objective behind the legislation is to strengthen the role of the primary producer and farmer, in particular. In their engagement with the people they supply, the farmer and primary producer can often be in a weak position. That is the objective behind the Bill.

Where it is primary producer to consumer, we do not have the same situation where the primary producer is necessarily disadvantaged by the consumer. It is about strengthening the role and fairness that is available to the primary producer. Expanding the remit of the regulator to business-to-consumer relationships would also lead to the possibility of duplication and overlap between the two competition and consumer protection authorities. As it is, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, CCPC, is responsible for protecting the consumer. What we are about here is protecting the primary producers in their business relationships and in the food supply chain.

Inserting the amendment would require the regulator to have responsibility for the relationships between businesses and consumers, including the sale of foodstuff to consumers. This is not the intention of the Bill or the commitment in the programme for Government. The regulator must be allowed to focus on its core priority, which is the protection of primary producers, including farmers and other food business buyers in strong or economic positions. There is a well-established legislative framework in respect of business to consumer protection.