Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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The independent Agri-Food Regulator established under the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Act 2023 performs two key functions:

• It enforces the law on Unfair Trading Practices;
• It performs a price and market analysis and reporting function.

The Regulator has since its establishment at the end of 2023, been very successful in delivering on these functions.

On the price and market analysis function, over the last year the Regulator has published analysis on the egg and horticulture sectors. Such reports are important to assist food suppliers in their decision making.

However, while there has been much positive engagement with the Regulator from operators who have voluntarily responded to requests for information, there were a few operators who did not provide the requested data. As a result the two reports concerned were published using only publicly available data.

In light of its experience concerning those reports, the Regulator has reported to me that it requires enhanced powers to compel businesses to provide financial information that is not in the public domain. The Act, itself, does not permit the Regulator to compel such data. However, the Act provides that the Minister may make regulations on price and market information.

As I have previously stated, I am fully committed to ensuring that the Regulator is equipped with the necessary powers to fulfil its statutory function subject to the necessary consultative and legislative process. This is necessary to ensure that the additional powers granted are proportionate.

It is not possible for me to give a definite timeline for the consultative and legislative process but I want to assure the Deputy that the process is underway and that it is a priority for my Department. This role is separate to the strong powers of enforcement the Agri-Food Regulator already has in relation to Unfair Trading Practices in the Agri-Food supply chain.