Written answers

Thursday, 9 September 2021

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Trade Data

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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1582. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the awareness campaign that has taken place to date in relation to the transposition of the Unfair Trading Practices Directive into Irish law in April 2021; the number of complaints received by Enforcement Authority within his Department to date and the current status of such complaints; the investigations the Enforcement Authority has commenced on its own initiative since April 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42524/21]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, one of the key principles of the Directiveon Unfair Trading Practices (UTP) in business-to-business relationships in the agricultural and food supply chain is to protect farmers, farmers’ organisations and other weaker suppliers of agricultural and food products against stronger buyers and to improve their position in the supply chain. I signed Statutory Instrument No. 198 of 2021 transposing the UTP Directive into Irish law on 28th April 2021, ahead of the EU deadline of 1st May 2021. These Regulations are an important tool in strengthening the position of primary producers, who are key to the success of our sector.

The new legislation provides for the establishment of an Enforcement Authority to deal with complaints against unfair trading practices and, as an interim measure, I have established the Enforcement Authority in the Department pending the finalisation of primary legislation to establish a new Office of National Food Ombudsman or Regulator. The Enforcement Authority has the power to investigate complaints from suppliers, including primary producers, carry out investigations on its own initiative and initiate legal proceedings for breaches of the UTPs.

I have recently appointed authorised officers to the Authority and work is ongoing to develop a communications and awareness-raising campaign which will commence shortly. No complaints have yet been received nor has the Authority initiated any investigations at this stage.

I am committed to bringing forward a National Food Ombudsman/Regulator office that will bring greater levels of transparency to the sector.

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