Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Office of the Agri-Food Regulator is now fully operational.

The Programme for Government contained a commitment for an independent statutory body to enforce the unfair trading practices outlined in Directive EU 2019/633 and to provide a price and market analysis function to increase fairness and transparency in the Agri-Food supply chain. Pending the finalisation of the primary legislation required to establish the new authority, the Unfair Trading Practices Enforcement Authority (UTPEA) was established on an interim basis in my Department.

The legislation required to establish the new independent office, the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Act 2023, was signed into law by President Higgins on 11th July 2023. This marked the end of a constructive legislative process which allowed for the passing of a bill that included very strong powers of enforcement and investigation. The office is now known as An Rialálaí Agraibhia (The Agri-Food Regulator).

The Chairperson and seven ordinary members of the board of An Rialálaí Agraibhia were appointed following a competition held by the State Boards Public Appointments Service. The Board had their first meeting on 13th December 2023, the establishment day of the new office.

The CEO-designate was appointed on 22nd May 2023, initially taking over as head of the interim Unfair Trading Practices Enforcement Authority, and became CEO of An Rialálaí Agraibhia on establishment day.

The functions of the UTPEA transferred to An Rialálaí Agraibhia on establishment day.

Now that the Regulator has been established recruitment is being conducted on a phased basis.

The Deputy may wish to contact the Agri-Food Regulator directly for information on operational matters and they can be contacted by email at info@agrifoodregulator.ie.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The agri-food sector has faced numerous challenges over the past five years, including the challenges posed by Brexit, COVID-19 and geopolitical events such as the illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia. These have resulted in a greatly changed trading environment with our closest neighbour, the closure of the food service sector for much of 2020 and 2021, and a rapid rise in input costs over the past two years. These factors combined have contributed to an increase in the cost of food production.

The CSO's Agricultural Input Price Index has increased by 28% between January 2019 and October 2023, the most recent month for which data is available. This compares to a 22% increase in the Agricultural Output Price Index over the same period.

I continue to engage with stakeholders and continue to work across Government to provide critical support for farm families.