MEDIA RELEASE FROM THE AGRI-FOOD REGULATOR - 20^th May 2025

Inaugural conference discusses progress to greater fairness and transparency for primary producers and small businesses

An Rialálaí Agraibhia (Agri-Food Regulator) (Regulator) today released the findings of its first supplier survey which gathered feedback from agri-food suppliers on their experiences of trading with eight specific buyers in the retail and wholesale sectors.  

Conducted by Coyne Research, the Agri-Food Regulator’s Suppliers Survey covered two main areas – compliance with the Unfair Trading (UT) Regulations and other general trading issues. 

The survey, which provided feedback on over 940 trading relationships, found:

• A high overall level of supplier satisfaction with how buyers conduct their business
• High levels of compliance with the UT Regulations, but 1 in 7 respondents still report being subject to an unfair trading practice
• Requiring the supplier to pay for loss or product deterioration in addition to delayed payments were the two most common issues faced by respondents
• Lack of awareness on rights and the wish to maintain long-term relationships were key reasons for suppliers in not raising issues with buyers
• Cost increases and inflation raised as the biggest concern facing suppliers in the year ahead (70%)

Speaking at the inaugural conference of the Agri-Food Regulator, which brought together key stakeholders from the agri-food landscape, to discuss the current circumstances for businesses in the agri-food supply chain, Niamh Lenehan, CEO, Agri-Food Regulator said:

“I’m pleased to release the findings from what we intend to be an annual suppliers survey. We are grateful to those six businesses who cooperated with the Regulator to distribute the survey to their agri-food suppliers – Aldi Ireland, BWG Foods, Lidl Ireland, Marks and Spencer Ireland, Musgrave Group and Tesco Ireland.

Their willingness to engage ensured that this survey gave a voice to their suppliers and the findings allow the Regulator and the businesses themselves to get a better understanding of the current operating landscape – capturing both the positives and the challenges”.

(pic: CEO Niamh Lenehan at the Agri-Food Regulator's inaugural conference)

Ms Lenehan continued “I very much welcome these survey findings which will be used to inform our work programme for the year ahead. This will include using the information received to progress the development of guidelines for buyers and the conducting of further risk-based inspections with respect to compliance with unfair trading law.

There is a lot to be positive about regarding the survey findings and I note that a majority of the respondent suppliers expressed satisfaction with how buyers conduct their business. However, I am concerned that 14% of respondents reported experiences that they characterised as unfair trading practices. As the Regulator, we need to ensure full compliance with the regulations in place.

In particular, it is concerning that some suppliers reported that they may not raise a potential breach of UT Regulations with either their buyer or with the Regulator itself.

Fear of retaliation and potential damage to trading relationships are clear concerns expressed and which then potentially impact negatively on the efficient functioning of the supply chain. With less than half of the respondents aware that the Regulator operates a confidential complaint process, we acknowledge that we have a significant amount of work to do in creating greater understanding and awareness of unfair trading practices and of the role of the Regulator”.

(pic: Chair of the Board of the Agri-Food Regulator, Joe Healy, speaking at the Regulator's inaugural conference)

The conference also examined wider aspects of the agri-food landscape – including the biggest challenges facing suppliers in the year ahead, and the progress being made at national and EU level towards greater transparency and fairness for primary producers following the recent publication of the EU Commission’s “Vision for Agriculture and Food.”

“Our mission as a Regulator has always been to engage and collaborate with all actors across the supply chain. Today’s conference is a great opportunity to meet many stakeholders and reflect on steps we can all take to facilitate increased fairness and transparency in the operation of the agri-food supply chain”, Ms Lenehan concluded.

Guest speakers included Michael Healy-Rae TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Patricia Reilly, Cabinet of President Ursula von der Leyen at the European Commission, and Mark White, Groceries Code Adjudicator, UK.

ENDS

Set up in December 2023, the Agri-Food Regulator is tasked with promoting fairness and transparency in the agri-food supply chain and producing price-market analysis.

About the survey:

The Agri-Food Regulator conducted this survey to gather feedback from suppliers of agricultural and food products on their experiences of trading with specific buyers (Aldi Ireland, BWG Foods, Dunnes Stores, Lidl Ireland, Marks and Spencer Ireland, Musgrave Group, Sysco Ireland and Tesco Ireland) in the retail and wholesale sectors. The Agri-Food Regulator liaised with the eight businesses to send the survey to their supplier database, with each business receiving a unique survey link to distribute to their suppliers. There was also a general link on the Agri-Food Regulator website.

The survey ran from 10^th February to 9^th March 2025. In total, 306 suppliers (sample size) completed the survey resulting in responses relating to 948 trading relationships.

Note: The sampling methodology used was the best available within the limitations of the data available to the Agri-Food Regulator to try and maximise response rates. Although comprehensive, the survey was not designed as a randomised sample. As such, the approach in use effectively captures a view of supplier experiences across buyer businesses but has specific caveats.

The survey utilised a non-random sampling methodology. The findings reflect the experiences of the survey participants and may not be generalisable to the larger supplier population. Differences in UTP incidence between buyers should be interpreted with caution.

*Agri-Food Regulator Supplier Survey Findings (pdf 2,180Kb) 

Unfair Trading Practices (UTPs):

The law protects against the following 10 unfair trading practices in all circumstances (Unconditional UTPs):

1. Payment later than 30 days after the end of an agreed delivery period for perishable agricultural and food products
2. Payment later than 60 days after the end of an agreed delivery period for non-perishable agricultural and food products
3. Cancellations of orders for perishable agricultural and food products with less than 30 days’ notice
4. Unilateral contract changes by the buyer relating to any of the following:

• the frequency, method, place, timing or volume of the supply or delivery of agricultural and food products,
• the quality standard,
• the terms of payment or the price

1. Requirement for supplier to make a payment not related to the sale of the agricultural and food products of the supplier
2. Requirement for supplier to pay for the loss or deterioration of their product where it is not caused by the negligence or fault of the supplier
3. Refusal of written confirmation of a supply agreement by the buyer, despite request of the supplier
4. Any unlawful acquisition, use or disclosure of trade secrets by the buyer
5. Commercial retaliation or threat of such by the buyer against the supplier because the latter are exercising their contractual or legal rights including filing a complaint with the Agri-Food Regulator
6. Requirement for compensation to the buyer for the cost of examining customer complaints where there has been no negligence or fault by the supplier

The law protects against six additional unfair trading practices where they are not agreed between the supplier and their buyer in advance (Conditional UTPs):

1. Buyer returning unsold products to the supplier without paying for those unsold products or without paying for the disposal of those products where this has not been clearly agreed in advance;
2. Buyer requiring payment from the supplier for stocking, display or listing of products or of making such products available on the market where this has not been clearly agreed in advance;
3. Buyer requiring the supplier to bear all or part of the cost of any discounts on products sold by the buyer as part of a promotion where this has not been clearly agreed in advance ;
4. Buyer requiring payment from the supplier for marketing by the buyer of the supplier’s products where this has not been clearly agreed in advance;
5. Buyer requiring payment from the supplier for advertising by the buyer of the supplier’s products where this has not been clearly agreed in advance ;
6. Buyer requiring payment from the supplier for staff for fitting-out premises used for the sale of the supplier’s products where this has not been clearly agreed in advance

Email: info@agrifoodregulator.ie                  Phone: +353 (0) 1 601 9900

Office Address:

An Rialálaí Agraibhia (Agri-Food Regulator)
Backweston Campus
Celbridge
Co Kildare
W23 X3PH

Plé á dhéanamh ag an gcomhdháil tionscnaimh ar dhul chun cinn chun breis cothroime agus trédhearcachta a chinntiú do tháirgeoirí príomhúla agus do ghnóthaí beaga

Baile Sheáin, Co. na Mí, 20 Bealtaine 2025: Inniu d'eisigh An Rialálaí Agraibhia (An Rialálaí) torthaí an chéad suirbhé soláthraí a bhailigh aiseolas ó sholáthraithe agraibhia maidir lena dtaithí ar thrádáil le hochtar gceannaitheoirí sonracha sna hearnálacha miondíola agus mórdhíola.

Ba é Coyne Research a d'eagraigh an suirbhé dar teideal Suirbhé Soláthraí an Rialálaí Agraibhia a bhí dírithe ar dhá phríomhréimse – na Rialacháin um Thrádáil Éagothrom (TÉ) a bheith á gcomhlíonadh agus saincheisteanna trádála ginearálta eile.

Seo a leanas torthaí an tsuirbhé, inar bailíodh aiseolas maidir le breis is 940 caidreamh trádála:

• Ardleibhéal foriomlán de shástacht soláthraí maidir leis an tslí a gcuireann ceannaitheoirí a gnó i gcrích
• Ardleibhéil chomhlíontachta le Rialacháin TÉ, ach thuairiscigh aon fhreagróir amháin as gach seachtar bhfreagróirí go bhfuil siad fós ag déileáil le trádchleachtas éagothrom
• Dhá shaincheist choitianta ar thagair na freagróirí dóibh ba ea a cheangal ar an soláthraí íoc as caillteanas nó as meath táirge mar aon le híocaíochtaí moillithe
• Ba iad na príomhchúiseanna a bhí ag soláthraithe gan saincheisteanna a phlé le ceannaitheoirí ná easpa ceart agus an fonn a bhí orthu leanúint ar aghaidh le caidreamh seanbhunaithe
• Ba é an t-ábhar imní ba mhó a luaigh soláthraithe don bhliain amach romhainn ná méaduithe costais agus boilsciú (70%)

Ag comhdháil tionscnaimh an Rialálaí Agraibhia, ar ar fhreastail príomhpháirtithe leasmhara ón timpeallacht agraibhia, chun plé a dhéanamh ar na himthosca reatha do ghnóthaí atá páirteach sa slabhra soláthair agraibhia, bhí an méid seo a leanas le rá ag Niamh Lenehan, POF, An Rialálaí Agraibhia:

“Cúis áthais dom na torthaí ón suirbhé soláthraí, suirbhé bliantúil amach anseo tá súil agam, a roinnt. Táimid buíoch den sé ghnó a chomhoibrigh leis an Rialálaí chun an suirbhé a dháileadh ar a soláthraithe agraibhia – Aldi na hÉireann, Bianna BWG, Lidl na hÉireann, Marks and Spencer na hÉireann, Grúpa Musgrave agus Tesco na hÉireann.

Chinntigh a dtoilteanas siúd páirt a ghlacadh sa suirbhé seo go raibh guth á thabhairt acu dá soláthraithe agus cuireann na torthaí ar chumas an Rialálaí agus na ngnóthaí féin teacht ar thuiscint níos fearr ar an timpeallacht oibriúcháin reatha – agus taifeadadh na pointí dearfacha ach oiread leis na dúshláin”.

Bhí an méid seo a leanas le rá ag Bean Uasal Lenehan freisin “Fáiltím go mór roimh thorthaí an tsuirbhé seo a úsáidfear chun bonn eolais a chur ar fáil dár gclár oibre don bhliain amach romhainn. Áireofar air sin an fhaisnéis a bailíodh a úsáid chun dlús a chur le forbairt treoirlínte do cheannaitheoirí agus chun tuilleadh cigireachtaí rioscabhunaithe a dhéanamh i ndáil leis an dlí um thrádáil éagothrom a bheith á chomhlíonadh.

Tá go leor pointí dóchasacha ag baint le torthaí an tsuirbhé agus thug mé faoi deara gur thug formhór na soláthraithe freagróra le fios go raibh siad sásta leis an tslí a ndéanann ceannaitheoirí a gcuid gnó. Cúis imní dom, áfach, is ea gur thug 14% de fhreagróirí le fios go raibh taithí acu ar eachtraí arb ionann iad agus trádchleachtais éagothroma dar leo. Mar Rialálaí, ní mór dúinn a chinntiú go bhfuil na rialacháin atá i bhfeidhm á gcomhlíonadh go hiomlán.

Go háirithe, cúis imní is ea gur thuairiscigh roinnt soláthraithe go bhfuil seans ann nach bpléifidís sárú féideartha ar Rialacháin TÉ leis an gceannaitheoir nó leis an Rialálaí.

Cuirtear in iúl go soiléir go bhfuil imní ag baint le frithbheartaíocht agus le damáiste do chaidreamh trádála agus go bhféadfadh tionchar diúltach a bheith ag a leithéid ar fheidhmiú éifeachtúil an tslabhra soláthair. Ní raibh a fhios ag ach níos lú ná leath de na freagróirí go bhfuil próiseas gearán rúnda bunaithe ag an Rialálaí, agus admhaímid go bhfuil go leor oibre le déanamh againn chun tuiscint agus feasacht níos fearr ar thrádchleachtais éagothroma agus ar ról an Rialálaí a chruthú”.

I rith na comhdhála rinneadh scrúdú ar ghnéithe níos ginearálta den timpeallacht agraibhia freisin – lena n-áirítear na dúshláin is mó a bheidh le sárú ag soláthraithe i rith na bliana amach romhainn, agus an dul chun cinn atá á dhéanamh ag leibhéal náisiúnta agus AE ar mhaithe le breis trédhearcachta agus cothroime do tháirgeoirí príomhúla i bhfianaise fhoilseachán nua Choimisiún an AE “Fís le haghaidh na Talmhaíochta agus an Bhia”.

“Is é an misean a bhí againn mar Rialálaí riamh anall oibriú le agus comhoibriú le gach gníomhaí ar fud an tslabhra soláthair. Is deis iontach í comhdháil an lae inniu chun bualadh le go leor páirtithe leasmhara agus chun machnamh a dhéanamh ar na céimeanna is féidir linn a chur i gcrích chun breis cothroime agus trédhearcachta a éascú i bhfeidhmiú an tslabhra soláthair agraibhia”, arsa Bean Uasal Lenehan.

I measc na n-aoichainteoirí bhí Michael Healy-Rae TD, Aire Stáit sa Roinn Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara, Patricia Reilly, Cabinet Uachtarán Ursula von der Leyen sa Choimisiún Eorpach, agus Mark White, Breithneoir an Chóid Grósaeireachta, An Ríocht Aontaithe.

DEIREADH

Bunaithe i mí na Nollag 2023, tá sé de chúram ar an Rialálaí Agraibhia tacú le cothroime agus le trédhearcacht sa slabhra soláthair agraibhia agus anailís mhargadhphraghais a dhéanamh.

Eolas maidir leis an suirbhé:

Rinne an Rialálaí Agraibhia an suirbhé seo chun aiseolas a bhailiú ó sholáthraithe táirgí talmhaíochta agus bia maidir lena dtaithí ar thrádáil le ceannaitheoirí sonracha (Aldi na hÉireann, Bianna BWG, Dunnes Stores, Lidl na hÉireann, Marks and Spencer na hÉireann, Grúpa Musgrave, Sysco na hÉireann agus Tesco na hÉireann) sna hearnálacha miondíola agus mórdhíola. Chuaigh an Rialálaí Agraibhia i mbun idirchaidrimh leis na hocht ngnó chun an suirbhé a sheoladh chuig a mbunachar sonraí soláthraí, agus cuireadh nasc suirbhé uathúil ar fáil do gach gnó chun é a dháileadh ar a gcuid soláthraithe. Bhí nasc ginearálta le fáil ar shuíomh gréasáin an Rialálaí Agraibhia freisin.

Reáchtáladh an suirbhé idir an 10 Feabhra agus an 9 Márta 2025. Ar an iomlán, chomhlánaigh 306 soláthraí (méid an tsampla) an suirbhé agus fuarthas freagraí a bhain le 948 caidreamh trádála.

Tabhair faoi deara: Ba í an mhodheolaíocht samplála a úsáideadh an mhodheolaíocht ab fhearr a bhí ar fáil laistigh de shrianta na sonraí a bhí ar fáil don Rialálaí Agraibhia chun iarracht a dhéanamh na rátaí freagartha a uasmhéadú. Ainneoin go raibh sé cuimsitheach, níor dearadh an suirbhé mar shampla randamaithe. Dá réir sin, taifeadann an cur chuige a úsáideadh taithí soláthraí go héifeachtach i ngnóthaí ceannaitheora ach níl aon caveat sonrach luaite leis.

I rith an tsuirbhé úsáideadh modheolaíocht samplála neamhrandamaithe. Tá fianaise le fáil sna torthaí

ar thaithí rannpháirtithe an tsuirbhé agus ní gá go mbeifí in ann iad a chur in oiriúint go ginearálta don

phobal soláthraí níos mó. Ba cheart a bheith cúramach nuair a bhíonn difríochtaí i dteagmhas TCÉ idir ceannaitheoirí

á léirmhíniú.

*Tá an tacar iomlán torthaí ar fáil ar iarratas.

Trádchleachtais Éagóracha (TCÉnna):

Cosnaíonn an dlí i gcoinne na 10 dtrádchleachtas éagothroma seo a leanas i ngach imthoisc (TCÉnna Neamhchoinníollacha):

1. Íocaíocht níos déanaí ná 30 lá i ndiaidh dheireadh na tréimhse seachadta comhaontaithe do tháirgí talmhaíochta agus bia somheata
2. Íocaíocht níos déanaí ná 60 lá i ndiaidh dheireadh na tréimhse seachadta comhaontaithe do tháirgí talmhaíochta agus bia domheata
3. Orduithe le haghaidh táirgí talmhaíochta agus bia somheata a chealú trí fhógra níos lú ná 30 lá a thabhairt
4. Athruithe conartha aontaobhacha á ndéanamh ag an gceannaitheoir i ndáil le haon cheann acu seo a leanas: 
   1. minicíocht, modh, áit, uainiú nó toirt sholáthar nó sheachadadh táirgí talmhaíochta agus bia,
   2. an caighdeán cáilíochta,
   3. na téarmaí íocaíochta nó an praghas
5. An ceanglas go ndéanfadh soláthraí íocaíocht nach mbaineann le díol táirgí talmhaíochta agus bia an tsoláthraí
6. An ceanglas go n-íocfadh an soláthraí as caillteanas nó as meath an táirge sa chás nach dtarlaíonn a leithéid mar thoradh ar fhaillí nó ar locht an tsoláthraí
7. Diúltú deimhniú i scríbhinn a thabhairt maidir le comhaontú soláthair leis an gceannaitheoir, ainneoin iarratas a bheith déanta ag an soláthraí
8. Aon rún ceirde a bheith á éadáil, á úsáid nó á nochtadh go neamhdhleathach ag an gceannaitheoir
9. Frithbheartaíocht tráchtála nó bagairt dá leithéid á déanamh ag an gceannaitheoir i gcoinne an tsoláthraí de bhrí go bhfuil cearta conarthacha nó dlíthiúla á bhfeidhmiú ag an soláthraí lena n-áirítear gearán a chomhdú leis an Rialálaí Agraibhia
10. An ceanglas cúiteamh a chur ar fáil don cheannaitheoir i ndáil leis an gcostas a bhaineann le gearáin chustaiméara a scrúdú sa chás nach raibh aon fhaillí nó locht luaite leis an soláthraí

Cosnaíonn an dlí i gcoinne sé thrádchleachtas éagothroma bhreise sa chás nach bhfuil siad comhaontaithe idir an soláthraí agus a c(h)eannaitheoir roimh ré (TCÉnna Coinníollacha):

1. An ceannaitheoir ag tabhairt táirgí neamhdhíolta ar ais don soláthraí gan íoc as na táirgí neamhdhíolta sin nó gan íoc as diúscairt na dtáirgí sin sa chás nár thángthas ar chomhaontú soiléir maidir leis sin roimh ré;
2. An ceannaitheoir ag éileamh íocaíochta ón soláthraí as táirgí a stocáil, a thaispeáint nó a liostú nó as a leithéid sin de tháirgí a chur ar fáil ar an margadh sa chás nár thángthas ar chomhaontú soiléir maidir leis sin roimh ré;
3. An ceannaitheoir ag éileamh ar an soláthraí an costas ar fad nó cuid den chostas a bhaineann le haon lascaine ar tháirgí díolta leis an gceannaitheoir mar chuid de phromóisean a íoc sa chás nár thángthas ar chomhaontú soiléir maidir leis sin roimh ré;
4. An ceannaitheoir ag éileamh íocaíochta ó sholáthraí as margaíocht déanta ag an gceannaitheoir ar tháirgí an tsoláthraí sa chás nár thángthas ar chomhaontú soiléir maidir leis sin roimh ré;
5. An ceannaitheoir ag éileamh íocaíochta ó sholáthraí as fógraíocht déanta ag an gceannaitheoir ar tháirgí an tsoláthraí sa chás nár thángthas ar chomhaontú soiléir maidir leis sin roimh ré;
6. An ceannaitheoir ag éileamh íocaíochta ó sholáthraí as baill foirne a d'fheistigh áitreabh a úsáidtear chun táirgí an tsoláthraí a dhíol sa chás nár thángthas ar chomhaontú soiléir maidir leis sin roimh ré

MEDIA RELEASE FROM THE AGRI-FOOD REGULATOR - 25^th February 2025

An Rialálaí Agraibhia (Agri-Food Regulator) seeks urgent meeting with Minister

Niamh Lenehan CEO addresses IFA Horticulture meeting.

Niamh Lenehan, CEO of An Rialálaí Agraibhia (Agri-Food Regulator) (Regulator) today confirmed that the Board had written to Martin Heydon TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and the Marine to seek an urgent meeting to discuss the Regulator’s request for additional powers submitted last September.
These additional powers would allow for the Regulator to compel businesses in the agri-food supply chain to provide price and market information for reporting purposes.
Speaking at the IFA Horticulture and Potato Growers meeting this evening, Ms Lenehan told attendees that efforts to produce the envisaged report on price and market trends in the horticulture sector had not been possible, as a number of businesses did not provide the requested data.
As a result, a report on the horticulture sector using only publicly available data is now being finalised and will be published on www.agrifoodregulator.ie shortly.

Addressing the meeting, Ms Lenehan said: “Similar to the Regulator’s initial efforts to produce a report on the egg sector, the production of the envisaged horticulture report has not been possible as a number of businesses did not provide the requested data.

While we were pleased to see all but one of the contacted retailers and wholesalers engage with the Regulator and provide data, a number of other businesses across the supply chain have not yet provided data. This once again highlights the need for the Regulator to be granted additional powers to compel businesses to supply the necessary data so that we can fully deliver on our remit.”

Ms Lenehan confirmed that the matter was discussed by the Board of the Regulator last week, who requested that the Chair Joe Healy write immediately to Minister Heydon to seek an urgent meeting on the matter.

Joe Healy, Chair of the Agri-Food Regulator confirmed that he has written to the Minister:
“While the Board is grateful to the businesses that provided information to the Regulator in relation to the proposed horticulture report, we find ourselves once again hamstrung in the absence of powers to compel businesses to provide data in a timely manner with a view to improving transparency.

Last September, the Board sought additional powers for the Regulator as envisaged under the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Act. The Board is concerned that without these additional powers, we are unable to fulfil a core legislative function of the Regulator – the publication of analysis of price and market data along the agri-food supply chain.

We remain unanimously of the view that additional powers are essential for the Regulator to address the issue of lack of transparency and information asymmetry in the agri-food supply chain.

We look forward to engaging with the Minister on the matter in a timely manner.”

ENDS

For media queries contact:

Deirdre Sheahan, Drury | Deirdre.sheahan@drury.ie | 085 744 2242

Danielle Martin, Drury | Danielle.martin@drury.ie | 086 776 1592

Notes for editors

Under the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Act 2023 (2023 Act), An Rialálaí Agraibhia (Agri-Food Regulator) was established as an independent state agency on 13th December 2023. Under the 2023 Act, the Agri-Food Regulator is responsible for promoting fairness and transparency in the agricultural and food supply chain. It was also designated as the Enforcement Authority for the purposes of the Unfair Trading Regulations (S.I. No. 625/2023 - Agricultural and Food Supply Chain (Unfair Trading) Regulations 2023).
Unless otherwise indicated, the following businesses have provided data to the Agri-Food Regulator in response to the Regulator’s data request relating to the horticulture sector:

Email: info@agrifoodregulator.ie                  Phone: +353 (0) 1 601 9900

Office Address:

An Rialálaí Agraibhia (Agri-Food Regulator)
Backweston Campus
Celbridge
Co Kildare
W23 X3PH

MEDIA RELEASE FROM THE AGRI-FOOD REGULATOR - 10^th February 2025

An Rialálaí Agraibhia (Agri-Food Regulator)

launches annual survey of suppliers to the large retailers and wholesalers.

The Regulator wants to hear from agri-food suppliers about their trading experiences with retail and wholesale buyers of their products.

An Rialálaí Agraibhia (Agri-Food Regulator) (Regulator) today launched its first annual survey of suppliers of agri-food products into the retail and wholesale market. 

The survey, conducted independently by Coyne Research, is an important way for suppliers to confidentially provide feedback to the Agri-Food Regulator about their experiences of trading with eight specific buyers (Aldi Ireland, BWG Foods, Dunnes Stores, Lidl Ireland, Marks and Spencer Ireland, Musgrave Group, Sysco Ireland and Tesco Ireland). 

The survey is open to all suppliers, both direct and indirect, once they supply agri-food products directly to a retailer or wholesaler or to a business that ultimately provides that product to a retailer or wholesaler.

“14 months since establishment of the office, we are delighted to launch this annual survey as a means to help explore the experiences of suppliers in the agri-food supply chain,” said Niamh Lenehan, CEO of the Agri-Food Regulator. “This survey is an important element of the ongoing stakeholder engagement efforts of the office and so initiates a yearly process to facilitate suppliers in informing the Regulator about their trading experiences – both positive and negative - with specific large buyers.”

While the Regulator has worked with buyer businesses in the development of the survey, all information provided by suppliers will be treated in the strictest confidence. Responses will be collated and analysed by Coyne Research on behalf of the Agri-Food Regulator.

Ms Lenehan continued: “I am aware that suppliers might be cautious about providing feedback about their buyers and I am therefore very keen to stress that the survey is absolutely anonymous and confidential. Suppliers are being asked to provide an honest and frank assessment of their experiences in the past 12 months. Buyers will not be made aware if a supplier completes the survey nor of any comments made by a supplier.”

The questions cover suppliers’ relationships with their buyers in addition to their experiences of unfair trading practices and other relevant issues that may impact them.

Commenting on the scope of agri-food products and relevant suppliers, Ms Lenehan said: “Apart from what might be considered obvious in terms of agri-food products, products such as live trees, cut flowers as well as alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are all defined as agri-food products. I urge all suppliers to the retail and wholesale sector to consider if any of their products are classified as agri-food products as the Regulator wants to hear from as many suppliers as possible about their experiences. Suppliers can visit our website for further details or can contact us directly.”

The survey is open for four weeks and will close on Sunday 9^th March 2025. The Regulator has made a request to the retail and wholesale buyers involved to share the survey link directly with their suppliers. If suppliers have not received a link to the survey from their buyer(s), they should still complete the survey by visiting www.agrifoodregulator.ie. Suppliers should complete this survey only once for their business. The survey findings will be announced at the Agri-Food Regulator’s inaugural conference planned for 20^th May. Further details on this event will be available shortly.

ENDS

For media queries contact:

Deirdre Sheahan, Drury | Deirdre.sheahan@drury.ie | 085 744 2242

Danielle Martin, Drury | Danielle.martin@drury.ie | 086 776 159

Notes for editors

Under the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Act 2023 (2023 Act), An Rialálaí Agraibhia (Agri-Food Regulator) was established as an independent state agency on 13^th December 2023. Under the 2023 Act, the Agri-Food Regulator is responsible for promoting fairness and transparency in the agricultural and food supply chain. It was also designated as the Enforcement Authority for the purposes of the Unfair Trading Regulations (S.I. No. 625/2023 - Agricultural and Food Supply Chain (Unfair Trading) Regulations 2023).

The survey is available here and should take 10 to 15 minutes to complete.

Email: info@agrifoodregulator.ie                  Phone: +353 (0) 1 601 9900

Office Address:

An Rialálaí Agraibhia (Agri-Food Regulator)
Backweston Campus
Celbridge
Co Kildare
W23 X3PH

EISIÚINT DO NA MEÁIN ÓN RIALÁLAÍ AGRAIBHIA - an 10 Feabhra 2025

Seolann an Rialálaí Agraibhia

suirbhé bliantúil ar sholáthraithe do na miondíoltóirí móra agus do na mórdhíoltóirí.

Ba mhaith leis an Rialálaí eolas a fháil ó sholáthraithe agraibhia faoina dtaithí ar thrádáil le ceannaitheoirí miondíola agus mórdhíola a gcuid táirgí.

Sheol an Rialálaí Agraibhia (an Rialálaí) a chéad suirbhé bliantúil inniu ar sholáthraithe táirgí agraibhia isteach sa mhargadh miondíola agus mórdhíola.

Is éard atá sa suirbhé, a rinne Coyne Research go neamhspleách, ná bealach tábhachtach do sholáthraithe aiseolas a thabhairt faoi rún don Rialálaí Agraibhia faoina dtaithí ar thrádáil le hocht gceannaitheoir ar leith (Aldi Ireland, BWG Foods, Dunnes Stores, Lidl Ireland, Marks and Spencer Ireland, Musgrave Group, Sysco Ireland agus Tesco Ireland).

Tá an suirbhé ar oscailt do gach soláthraí, idir díreach agus indíreach, a luaithe a sholáthraíonn siad táirgí agraibhia go díreach do mhiondíoltóir nó do mhórdhíoltóir nó do ghnólacht a sholáthraíonn an táirge sin do mhiondíoltóir nó do mhórdhíoltóir ar deireadh.

“14 mhí ó bunaíodh an oifig, tá lúcháir orainn an suirbhé bliantúil seo a sheoladh mar bhealach chun cabhrú le taithí soláthraithe sa slabhra soláthair agraibhia a phlé,” dúirt Niamh Lenehan, Príomh-Fheidhmeannach an Rialálaí Agraibhia. “Is gné thábhachtach é an suirbhé seo d’iarrachtaí leanúnacha rannpháirtíochta páirtithe leasmhara na hoifige agus mar sin cuireann sé tús le próiseas bliantúil chun bealach a thabhairt do sholáthraithe chun an Rialálaí a chur ar an eolas faoina dtaithí ar thrádáil - idir dearfach agus diúltach - le ceannaitheoirí móra sonracha.”

Cé gur oibrigh an Rialálaí le gnólachtaí ceannaitheoirí chun an suirbhé a fhorbairt, fanfaidh an fhaisnéis go léir a thugann soláthraithe ina rún. Déanfaidh Coyne Research freagraí a thiomsú agus a anailísiú thar ceann an Rialálaí Agraibhia.

Lean Bean Uasal Lenehan ar aghaidh: “Tá a fhios agam go bhféadfadh soláthraithe a bheith aireach maidir le haiseolas a thabhairt faoina gceannaitheoirí agus mar sin ba mhaith liom go mór a chur in iúl go láidir go bhfuil an suirbhé anaithnid agus faoi rún go huile is go hiomlán. Táthar ag iarraidh ar sholáthraithe measúnú macánta a thabhairt ar a dtaithí le 12 mhí anuas. Ní chuirfear ceannaitheoirí ar an eolas má chomhlánaíonn soláthraí an suirbhé nó má thugann soláthraí aon bharúil.”

Clúdaítear caidrimh soláthraithe lena gcuid ceannaitheoirí sna ceisteanna chomh maith lena dtaithí ar chleachtais éagóracha trádála agus saincheisteanna ábhartha eile a bhféadfadh tionchar a bheith acu orthu.

Agus í ag déanamh trácht ar réimse táirgí agraibhia agus ar sholáthraithe ábhartha, dúirt Bean Uasal Lenehan: “Seachas an méid lena mbeifí ag súil a bheith soiléir i dtéarmaí táirgí agraibhia, sainmhínítear táirgí ar nós crainn bheo, bláthanna gearrtha chomh maith le deochanna alcólacha agus neamh-mheisciúla mar tháirgí agraibhia. Molaim do gach soláthraí san earnáil miondíola agus mórdhíola féachaint an aicmítear aon cheann dá dtáirgí mar tháirgí agraibhia mar tá an Rialálaí ag iarraidh eolas a fháil ón oiread soláthraithe agus is féidir faoina dtaithí. Is féidir le soláthraithe cuairt a thabhairt ar ár suíomh gréasáin le haghaidh tuilleadh sonraí nó is féidir leo teagmháil a dhéanamh linn go díreach.”

Tá an suirbhé ar oscailt ar feadh ceithre seachtaine agus cuirfear deireadh leis Dé Domhnaigh an 9 Márta 2025. D’iarr an Rialálaí ar na ceannaitheoirí miondíola agus mórdhíola atá i gceist an nasc suirbhé a roinnt go díreach lena soláthraithe. Mura bhfuil nasc chuig an suirbhé faighte ag soláthraithe óna gceannaitheoir(í), ba cheart dóibh an suirbhé a chomhlánú fós trí chuairt a thabhairt ar www.agrifoodregulator.ie. Níor cheart do sholáthraithe an suirbhé seo a chomhlánú ach uair amháin dá ngnólacht. Fógrófar torthaí an tsuirbhé ag comhdháil tionscnaimh an Rialálaí Agraibhia atá beartaithe don 20 Meitheamh. Beidh tuilleadh sonraí faoin imeacht sin ar fáil go luath.

DEIREADH

Le haghaidh ceisteanna ó na meáin, déan teagmháil le:

Deirdre Sheahan, Drury | Deirdre.sheahan@drury.ie | 085 744 2242

Danielle Martin, Drury | Danielle.martin@drury.ie | 086 776 159

Nótaí d’eagarthóirí

Faoin Acht um Shlabhra an tSoláthair Talmhaíochta agus Bia, 2023 (Acht 2023), bunaíodh an Rialálaí Agraibhia mar ghníomhaireacht stáit neamhspleách ar an 13 Nollaig 2023. Faoi Acht 2023, tá an Rialálaí Agraibhia freagrach as cothroime agus trédhearcacht a chur chun cinn sa slabhra soláthair talmhaíochta agus bia. Ainmníodh é mar an tÚdarás Forfheidhmithe freisin chun críocha na Rialachán um Thrádáil Éagórach (S.I. Uimh. 625/2023 - na Rialacháin um Shlabhra an tSoláthair Talmhaíochta agus Bia (Trádáil Éagórach) 2023).

Tá an suirbhé ar fáil anseo agus ba cheart go dtógfadh sé idir 10 agus 15 nóiméad é a chomhlánú.

Seoladh Oifige:

An Rialálaí Agraibhia (Agri-Food Regulator)
Campas Bhacastúin

Cill Droichid

Co. Chill Dara

W23 X3PH

AN UPDATE FROM THE AGRI-FOOD REGULATOR - 17^th December 2024

Agri-Food Regulator notes the finalisation of first conviction

for breach of Unfair Trading Practices Regulations

The Agri-Food Regulator’s first case for a breach of the Unfair Trading Practices Regulations was finalised on Friday 13^th December, at Ennis District Court where a fine of €1,000 was imposed by Judge Alec Gabbett on Asba Meats Ltd, Beechpark Logistics Centre, Smithstown Industrial Estate, Shannon, Co Clare.  The Regulator was also awarded costs of €10,163.76.  

The fine and the awarding of costs followed a conviction by Judge Gabbett on November 15^th in the case taken by the Regulator against the meat processor following the non-payment for cattle delivered to the slaughter plant by a West of Ireland farmer.

Niamh Lenehan, CEO said “I welcome the finalisation of this case, especially as it came on the first anniversary of the formal establishment of An Rialálaí Agraibhia.  The outcome of this case sends out a very strong message to buyers in the agri-food supply chain and will serve to increase awareness of the Regulator’s role to enforce breaches of unfair trading law.”

Ms Lenehan reiterated that anyone who feels they may be experiencing or have been subjected to an Unfair Trading Practice should contact the Regulator immediately.  Information on how to make a complaint or to make a confidential tip-off is available on the Regulator's website.

“As evidenced in this case, the Agri-Food Regulator is here to help primary producers and small agri-food businesses in their dealings with larger buyers,” continued Ms Lenehan.  “I encourage all suppliers to familiarise themselves with the protections available to them under the Unfair Trading Regulations and to contact the Regulator with any questions they may have.” 

ENDS

For media queries contact:

Deirdre Sheahan, Drury | Deirdre.sheahan@drury.ie | 085 744 2242

Notes to editors:

On Friday 15^th November, the Agri-Food Regulator secured its first conviction for a breach of the Unfair Trading Practices (UTP) Regulations, following a court case against Asba Meats Ltd, Beechpark Logistics Centre, Smithstown Industrial Estate, Shannon, Co Clare.

Ennis District Court heard that a West of Ireland farmer made a complaint to the Agri-Food Regulator in August 2023 claiming that Asba Meats were in breach of the Unfair Trading Practices Regulations as a result of the non-payment for animals which were delivered to the processor in October 2022.

The Court convicted the company on a single charge but placed a stay on the conviction until 13^th December indicating that it would consider a fine and adjudicate on costs on that date.

About the Agri-Food Regulator

Under the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Act 2023, ‘An Rialálaí Agraibhia’ (Agri-Food Regulator) was established as a new independent state agency on 13th December 2023 (2023 Act).

Under the 2023 Act, the Agri-Food Regulator became the designated Enforcement Authority for the purposes of the Unfair Trading Regulations (S.I. No. 625/2023 - Agricultural and Food Supply Chain (Unfair Trading) Regulations 2023).

The Unfair Trading Regulations (2023) provides legal protection to suppliers of agri-food products against 16 specific unfair trading practices.   There are FAQs available for suppliers, as well as buyers, about the Regulations at www.agrifoodregulator.ie

Email: info@agrifoodregulator.ie                   Phone: +353 (0) 1 601 9900

Office Address:

An Rialálaí Agraibhia (Agri-Food Regulator)
Backweston Campus
Celbridge
Co Kildare
Ireland
W23 X3PH

AN UPDATE FROM THE AGRI-FOOD REGULATOR - 10^th December 2024

An Rialálaí Agraibhia (Agri-Food Regulator) secures agreement from beef processors to publish weekly pricing information.

The four largest beef processors in the State agree to share weekly reported values for Beef Forequarter, Beef Hindquarter and Beef Minced Meat with the Regulator.

The Agri-Food Regulator confirmed today that it had secured the agreement of the four largest beef processors to share weekly reported values for Beef Forequarter, Beef Hindquarter and 5% fat content Beef Minced Meat (500g packs), as provided by the processors to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine under EU market transparency regulations. The processors involved are ABP, Dawn Meats, Kepak, and Liffey Meats.

The Regulator will aggregate the values collected from each processor to produce a single average aggregate figure for each of the Forequarter, Hindquarter and Minced Beef values. These aggregated values will provide an indicative price for the realisable value for beef at this stage of the supply chain and will be published weekly by the Regulator.

Niamh Lenehan, CEO of the Agri-Food Regulator said “The initiative to publish this information enhances transparency in the supply chain by providing an estimate of the value of beef accruing at the processing stage”.

The first report includes an overview of the methodology agreed between the processors and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, as well as the Regulator’s methodology when aggregating the reported values and is available on the Regulator’s website at here 17th January 2025: Beef Forequarter Hindquarter and Minced Meat Transparency Values (pdf 253Kb)  

Ms Lenehan continued “I would like to acknowledge the positive engagement from the beef processors involved, in addition to Meat Industry Ireland and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The reporting now by the Regulator is an important further step in improving transparency in the beef sector. We will continue to work with primary producers and their end processors with a view to publishing similar reports in the future”.

ENDS

For media queries contact:

Deirdre Sheahan, Drury | Deirdre.sheahan@drury.ie | 085 744 2242

Notes to editors:

Under the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Act 2023, ‘An Rialálaí Agraibhia’ (Agri-Food Regulator) was established as a new independent state agency on 13^th December 2023 (2023 Act)

Section 12 of the 2023 Act provides that the Regulator may ‘seek from businesses within the agricultural and food supply chain any data impacting upon price and margins considered necessary’.

In pursuit of this function, the Regulator met with representatives of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) to discuss the methodology used to fulfil the reporting requirements under S.I. No. 449/2021 - European Union (Market Transparency) Regulations 2021, the Statutory Instrument responsible for implementing:

• Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 and Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 (as amended by Regulation (EU) No 1310/2013 and Regulation (EU) 2017/2393)

• Regulation (EU) 2017/1183 and Regulation (EU) 2017/1185 (as amended by Regulation (EU) 2019/1746)

During these meetings, the Regulator came to understand the extensive engagement with Meat Industry Ireland undertaken by DAFM in conjunction with four of the largest beef processors (representing greater than 80% of the national beef kill) to define and agree the reporting process for Beef Forequarter, Beef Hindquarter and a Beef Minced Meat (5% fat content) prices as required under S.I. No. 449/2021.

The Regulator met with representatives from ABP, Dawn Meats, Kepak and Liffey Meats in August and September 2024 with a view to securing their agreement to sharing with the Regulator weekly prices for Beef Forequarter, Beef Hindquarter and a Beef Minced Meat (5% fat content) as provided to DAFM under the Market Transparency Regulations.

Email: info@agrifoodregulator.ie                   Phone: +353 (0) 1 601 9900

Office Address:

An Rialálaí Agraibhia (Agri-Food Regulator)
Backweston Campus
Celbridge
Co Kildare
Ireland
W23 X3PH

An Rialálaí Agraibhia has provided an update on its work:

Survey reports high recognition of Agri-Food Regulator but hesitation remains to report Unfair Trading Practices

The Regulator reiterates calls for suppliers to come forward if they feel they may have
been subject to an Unfair Trading Practice (UTP), highlighting their recent successful prosecution of a UTP breach

3^rd December 2024: A new survey of agri-food suppliers has revealed high recognition of the Agri-Food Regulator with 78% of respondents indicating that they have heard of the statutory body. Established in December 2023, the Regulator is tasked with promoting fairness and transparency across all stages of the supply chain.

According to the survey of primary producers across the sector, 54% of those familiar with the body are aware of its role in protecting producers from unfair trading practices (UTPs). However, just 3 in 10 express confidence that the Regulator can protect them against such practices.

In the survey, conducted online by Coyne Research during October 2024, 33% of primary producers reported that they had been subject to at least one UTP in the past year, with late payment being the leading breach (11%), followed by unilateral contract changes (9%) and incidences of commercial retaliation by buyers (8%).

Of those who had experienced a UTP, just 38% of suppliers had raised the issue with any operator, with just 19% satisfied that raising the issue led to a successful outcome.

Many of those who had claimed incidences of UTPs felt that such breaches were simply ‘common practice’ (61%) while others said they didn’t think there was anything the Regulator could do to help (27%). Others reported fear of retaliation from the buyer (24%), which is, in itself, a prohibited UTP.

However, 50% of respondents have said that now that they are familiar with the Agri-Food Regulator, they would be likely to raise issues with them.

Commenting on the survey findings, CEO of the Agri-Food Regulator, Niamh Lenehan, welcomed the significant recognition of the office, but expressed concern that more primary producers were not coming forward where incidences of UTPs were experienced.

“I am pleased to see that the survey found strong awareness of the Regulator as an organisation – we’ve engaged extensively with stakeholders across all stages of the supply chain over the past year. However, I am disappointed to see that some producers are not coming forward with their concerns. This survey was conducted in October and, since then, we’ve had our first successful prosecution for a breach of a UTP. I hope that this conviction will encourage more producers to contact us in confidence.

The survey results indicate that more work needs to be done by the Regulator to increase awareness and understanding of UTPs amongst producers and we are actively planning next steps in this regard. In particular, we will address some of the issues raised and common misconceptions articulated in the comments of survey respondents, some of which are outlined in the survey findings”.

The full survey findings are available at Unfair Trading Practices Survey findings (pdf 583Kb) 

ENDS

For media queries contact:

Deirdre Sheahan, Drury | Deirdre.sheahan@drury.ie | 085 744 2242

Danielle Martin, Drury   | Danielle.martin@drury.ie   | 086 776 1592

Notes:

Fieldwork took place via online survey between the 2^nd – 20^th October 2024.

The Agri-Food Regulator was responsible for promoting the survey link on its website. Assistance was also sought from farming organisations to distribute details of the survey.

246 Primary Producers responded to the online survey. The margin of error on a sample of this size is +/- 8.8% at the 95% Confidence level.

About the Agri-Food Regulator

An Rialálaí Agraibhia | Agri-Food Regulator is an independent statutory Office established under the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Act 2023.

The Agri-Food Regulator is concerned with promoting fairness and transparency in the agri-food supply chain. It’s statutory remit and focus is on business-to-business relationships within the supply chain. In exercising this function, the Agri-Food Regulator shall have regard to the circumstances and needs of the agricultural and food sector, including, in particular farming, fishing and small food businesses.

An Rialálaí Agraibhia has provided an update on its work:

Agri-Food Regulator announces first conviction for Unfair Trading Practices (doc 179Kb) 

An Rialálaí Agraibhia has provided an update on its work:

Update from An Rialálaí Agraibhia 12 September 2024 (pdf 112Kb) 

An Rialálaí Agraibhia has provided an update on its work:

Media update from An Rialálaí Agraibhia 18 July 2024 (pdf 85Kb) 

20^th June 2024: An Rialálaí Agraibhia (Agri-Food Regulator) (Regulator) published its inaugural Strategy Statement today, which lays out a roadmap for the first three years of the new office.  

Tasked with the remit of promoting fairness and transparency across all levels of the agri-food supply chain, the Strategy Statement outlines the Regulator’s key priorities and sets out a delivery framework to achieve the following four key objectives for the organisation:

• Enforcement of agri-food unfair trading law.

• Improved transparency on the functioning of the agri-food supply chain.

• Effective communication and engagement with stakeholders in promoting fairness and transparency.

• Building of organisational capacity with optimal use of resources to deliver an efficient and effective service.

Joe Healy, Chairman welcomed publication of the Strategy Statement:

“I’m delighted to launch the first Strategy Statement for An Rialálaí Agraibhia which outlines our key objectives and priorities for the next three years. The Strategy provides us with a clear vision and framework which will guide our work in delivering increased fairness and transparency in the agri-food supply chain.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, T.D, also welcomed the Strategy and thanked the board of the Regulator for their work to date:

“I am delighted to receive this Statement of Strategy which really highlights how the Agri-Food sector is benefitting from an independent Regulator which promotes fairness and transparency in the food supply chain. I thank Joe Healy, Chairperson, his fellow Board members and Niamh Lenehan, CEO for their enormous work in steering An Rialálaí Agraibhia, since its establishment last December.  

I met the Chairperson and the CEO recently to hear about the work the Regulator has been doing since establishment.  The Strategy sets out its key objectives which will deliver fairness and transparency right across the agri-food chain but especially for farmers, fishers and small food businesses. I look forward to continued engagement with the Regulator and wish it every success in delivering its strategy “

Looking to the months ahead, Niamh Lenehan, CEO outlined a number of upcoming actions from the Regulator:

“A key focus of the Regulator is enabling greater transparency on how the food supply chain works and, in particular, price formation mechanisms. To this end, the publication of a number of sectoral reviews are planned in the coming months; a data request issued to businesses operating in the egg sector a number of weeks ago and data requests in other sectors are also planned. Further, we will continue with monitoring and enforcement activities in relation to the Unfair Trading Regulations with compliance inspections commencing shortly.”

ENDS

For media queries contact:

Deirdre Sheahan, Drury | Deirdre.sheahan@drury.ie | 085 744 2242
Danielle Martin, Drury   | Danielle.martin@drury.ie   | 086 776 1592

About the An Rialálaí Agraibhia:

An Rialálaí Agraibhia (Agri-Food Regulator) is an independent statutory Office established under the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Act 2023.

The Act outlines the functions assigned to the Regulator under the following headings:

• Fairness and transparency in the agri-food supply chain - in exercising this function, the Agri-Food Regulator will have regard to the circumstances and needs of the agricultural and food sector including, in particular farming, fishing and small food businesses;
• Information and engagement - the Agri-Food Regulator will publish analysis of information about price and market data relating to the agri-food supply chain;
• Compliance with unfair trading law - the Agri-Food Regulator is responsible for enhancing understanding of and compliance with agri-food unfair trading law;
• Enforcement of unfair trading law - the Agri-Food Regulator is responsible for enforcing agri-food unfair trading law and is the designated Enforcement Authority as required under Directive (EU) 2019/633;
• Guidelines - the Agri-Food Regulator may, for the purpose of protecting supplier interests, publish guidelines for buyers about supplier protection and trading practices, whether generally or in a particular trade, business or professional sector;
• Review of codes - the Agri-Food Regulator may review codes of practice submitted;
• Information and advice - the Agri-Food Regulator can provide advice to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine about (a) the agricultural and food sector, and (b) agri-food unfair trading law;
• Consideration of legislation - the Minister may consult the Agri-Food Regulator regarding proposals for legislation relating to any aspect of fairness and transparency in the agri-food supply chain.

Please see the new S.I. No. 625 of 2023 Agricultural and Food Supply Chain (Unfair Trading Regulations 2023)
 which are effective from 13 December 2023. The 2021 Regulations have been revoked.

The Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D, has today formally established An Rialálaí Agraibhia - The Agri-Food Regulator under the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Act 2023.

The establishment of the Regulator fulfils a major commitment in the Programme for Government to establish a new independent authority to bring fairness and transparency to the agricultural and food supply chain.

Speaking at its launch Minister McConalogue said:

“This is a major landmark in the history of Ireland’s Agri food sector. I have long advocated for the establishment of this independent authority, and it is a great personal privilege for me, as Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine, to have brought this from its introductory legislation and to be here today on its establishment day. This fulfils a significant commitment in the Programme for Government and one of my priorities during my time in office as Minister.”

“I again acknowledge the widespread support on all sides in the Houses of the Oireachtas for the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Act 2023. I have no doubt that the establishment of the Regulator will protect our Agri-food suppliers, in particular, our farmers, fishers and small food businesses, from unlawful and unfair trading practices in the agricultural and food supply chain and will bring greater transparency to the Agri Food sector. They will do this by publishing analysis of information about price and market data relating to the agricultural and food supply chain and enforcing the rules on unfair trading practices.”

Today also marked the first meeting of the Board of the new Regulator at its new HQ on the Government campus in Backweston in Co. Kildare. Minister McConalogue previously announced that he has appointed Mr Joe Healy as the Chairperson and seven ordinary members to the Board.

Commenting on this the Minister said “In appointing Mr. Joe Healy as Chair of the Board as well as the other seven Members, I am confident the Board and the CEO Niamh Lenehan have the depth and breadth of experience to make the Agri Food Regulator the successful organisation we all want it to be. This boards brings a strong and diverse skillset from across the agri-food sector and beyond to lead this very important Agency.

Commenting on his appointment as Chairperson Mr. Joe Healy said:

“I am delighted to be appointed as Chairperson of the new Agri-Food Regulator today by Minister McConalogue. It is so important that this independent Regulator is in place to promote fairness and transparency in the agri-food supply chain and in particular to have regard to the circumstances and needs of farming, fishing and small food businesses. I look forward to working with both my Board colleagues and the CEO of the Regulator, Niamh Lenehan, to deliver on our mandate.”

Commenting on her formal appointment as CEO of the Regulator after serving since May as CEO-designate, Niamh Lenehan said:

“I very much look forward to sharing the journey ahead with the Board, staff and stakeholders with an immediate focus on the delivery of a statement of strategy and associated workplan underpinned by the powers and functions assigned to the Regulator under the 2023 Act.”

Minister McConalogue also announced that he has introduced new regulations to coincide with the establishment of An Rialálaí Agraibhia replacing the 2021 Regulations introduced under SI 198 of 2021 (European Union (Unfair Trading Practices in the agricultural and food supply chain) Regulations 2021. The new Regulations are necessary to take account of provisions in the Agricultural and Supply Chain Act 2023 relating to the transfer of UTP enforcement functions to the Regulator.

In concluding, Minister Mc Conalogue said:

“The establishment of the Agri-food Regulator to-day is the start of a journey towards increased fairness and transparency in the agricultural and food supply chain. I wish An Rialálaí Agraibhia every success for the future. “

The work of the Office can be followed through its website, www.agrifoodregulator.ie in addition to social media channels.

ENDS

Image: Minister McConalogue announces the formal establishment of An Rialálaí Agraibhia (The Agri-Food Regulator)

Caption: Niamh Lenehan, CEO, AgriFood Regulator, Minister Charlie McConalogue T.D, Joe Healy, Chairperson, AgriFood Regulator

NOTES FOR EDITORS

• The Chairperson and members were selected following a competition held by the State Boards Appointments service.
• The Minister brought forward the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Bill 2022 in line with the Programme for Government commitment to establish a new authority to ensure fairness, equity, and transparency in the food chain. The Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Act 2023 provides for the establishment of a new independent statutory Authority to be known as ‘An Rialálaí Agraibhia’ (Agri-Food Regulator).
• An Rialálaí Agraibhia will promote the principles of fairness and transparency in the agricultural and food supply chain by performing a price / market analysis and reporting function and will become the State’s designated enforcement authority for enforcing the rules on unfair trading practices in business-to-business relationships in the agricultural and food supply chain. The functions of enforcement of Unfair Trading Practices currently being implemented on an interim basis in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine will move to An Rialálaí Agraibhia.
• Website of An Rialálaí Agraibhia: www.agrifoodregulator.ie

Secondary legislation

• The existing SI 198 of 2021 lists the 16 UTPs without change to those in the UTP Directive 2019/633. It is necessary introduce new regulations for the purpose of provisions in the Agricultural and Supply Chain Act 2023. The same UTPs as those in SI 198 of 2021 are unchanged in the new regulations in SI 625 of 2023.
• Directive 2019/633 provided for a 'step' approach to setting the scope of suppliers and buyers for complaint purposes: suppliers and buyers were categorized depending on their annual turnover up to a minimum €2 million for buyers and a maximum €350 million for suppliers. This meant that there were categories of suppliers and buyers and complaints could be made by suppliers depending on what turnover category they were and depending on whether the buyer was in the same turnover category or a different turnover category e.g. suppliers with a max turnover of between €2 million and €10 million could not make a complaint against a buyer whose turnover level also fell into that category.

The turnover category classification in the regulations has been changed to provide for the turnover of the buyer to be higher than €2 million and higher than that of the supplier.

• In addition, Part 3 of the new regulations outline new compliance reporting requirements for buyers with an annual turnover of more than €50 m. The UTP Enforcement Authority in the DAFM has sought compliance reports on a voluntary basis from buyers. The regulations provide that it will be obligatory for such buyers to submit an annual compliance report to the Regulator.

An Cathaoirleach: I welcome Mr. Joe Healy, chairperson designate of An Rialálaí Agraibhia, and wish him the best in his new appointment. He is accompanied by Ms Niamh Lenehan, CEO designate of An Rialálaí Agraibhia. She is very welcome to the meeting.

The full text is now available on the Oireachtas site

The Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD, today announced his intention to appoint Mr Joe Healy as Chairperson of the Board An Rialálaí Agraibhia (Agri Food Regulator). Mr. Healy will be joined by seven ordinary Board members also to be appointed by the Minister. All of the Board appointments will formally commence when the Regulator is formally established which, the Minister announced today, will be on Wednesday 13 December next.

Minister McConalogue said:

“The formal establishment of the new Regulator’s Office is now in sight which is a major milestone in our commitment to bring more fairness and transparency to the agri-food supply chain. Appointing the Board is the next step and I am delighted with the calibre of Board members who have put themselves forward to serve. All have come through a full selection process which has now concluded. I am delighted to confirm my intention to nominate Mr. Joe Healy to be the Chairperson of the Board. Joe brings a vast amount of experience on all aspects of the agricultural and food supply chain. He has the requisite leadership and organisational skills to steer the strategy and governance of the new Regulator as it begins its historic journey to bring greater fairness and transparency to the agri-food sector.”

Minister Mc Conalogue also announced his intention to appoint the following persons as ordinary members to the Board.

• Mr. John Comer,
• Ms. Karen Brosnan,
• Ms. Margaret Dineen,
• Ms. Elaine Donohue,
• Mr. Angus Woods,
• Ms. Grace McCullen
• Mr. Paul Brophy

On the proposed appointment of the ordinary members, Minister Mc Conalogue said:

“The proposed board members all have expertise in matters relevant to the Regulator’s functions. Their combined experience and knowledge will be of huge benefit to the new body as they support the Chairperson to lead and direct the activities of An Rialálaí Agraibhia as it commences its work and to work with the CEO designate Niamh Lenehan in the effective management of the new Regulator. I am particularly pleased to be in a position to appoint an even gender balance on the Board which helps to fulfil my commitment to improving diversity in our State bodies.

Mr. Joe Healy said:

“I am honoured to be nominated by Minister McConalogue to fulfil this important role as Chair of the first Board of the new Agri-Food Regulator and I look forward to taking up the role in the coming weeks. All stakeholders need to have trust and confidence in the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain and also in this new Regulator and I look forward to working with both my Board colleagues and the CEO of the Regulator, Niamh Lenehan, to put in the place the strategy and functions to deliver on our mandate. It is a hugely positive development for suppliers to now have a Regulator who will provide analysis of information about price and market data as well as having powers to investigate reports of suspected breaches and pursue offences where they occur in unfair trading practices”.

Minister Mc Conalogue also confirmed that the offices of An Rialálaí Agraibhia will be based in the Government shared offices campus in Backweston, Celbridge, Co. Kildare. The first Board meeting of the Office is scheduled for Wednesday 13 December to coincide with the establishment day of the new Office.

This proposed Chairperson and members were selected following a competition held by the State Boards Appointments service.

ENDS

Notes

Proposed Board members

About the proposed Board members:

• Joe Healy is a dairy and cattle farmer from Athenry and is a former National President of both Macra na Feirme 1995 – 1997 and more recently the IFA 2016 – 2020. He also served as 1st Vice President of COPA (European Farmers Organisation) where he chaired the influential Food Chain Committee. Currently, he is Chairman of “Cultivate” (Credit Unions Agri Finance) and sits on the boards of Self Help Africa, Gurteen Agricultural College, and the European Economic and Social Committee.
• Mr. John Comer is a dairy farmer from Co. Mayo. He was previously President of the ICMSA and is currently a member of the European Economic and Social Committee
• Ms. Karen Brosnan has worked as a management consultant in the agri-food sector since 2000, specialising in strategy, governance, and leadership. She was a former Chairperson of Nuffield Ireland and Gurteen College and is currently a Director of AgriAware.
• Ms. Margaret Dineen has over 20 years of experience managing commercial trading relationships across the fresh food industry. A management consultant and accountant, Margaret now works with SME’s within the Irish Food Industry in developing their supply chain optimisation and commercial business development.
• Ms. Elaine Donohue is from a farming background. Elaine has a wealth of experience across the breadth and depth of National Food Supply Chains spanning many sectors. Elaine currently works at the helm of Bia Innovator Campus, focused on innovation, incubation, and the sustainability of the grassroots food industry.
• Mr. Angus Woods is a beef, sheep, and tillage farmer, and is a columnist with the Farming Independent. He is a former President of the EU Civil Dialogue for Animal Products and has served on a number of boards in the agri-food sector including ICBF and Bord Bia's Meat and Livestock board.
• Ms. Grace McCullen is a strategist and commercial marketer and has worked in food, drink, and agri-business for 25 years with a range of companies. Grace holds an MSc. Digital Marketing & Data Analytics, BSc.Food Business and Dip. Food Science & Technology and grew up on a farm in Co. Meath.
• Mr. Paul Brophy is a primary producer in the horticulture sector with over 40 years of experience. He is Chairman of Unigreen, a producer organisation of 5 progressive vegetable producers. Paul has formerly served on the horticulture board of Bord Bia and was a former chair of the IFA horticulture sector

Appointments were made pursuant to a State Boards Public Appointments Service process.

Appointments will be effective from Establishment Day of An Rialálaí Agraibhia.

The Minister brought forward the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Bill 2022 in line with the Programme for Government commitment to establish a new authority to ensure fairness, equity, and transparency in the food chain. The Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Act 2023 provides for the establishment of a new independent statutory Authority to be known as ‘An Rialálaí Agraibhia’ (Agri-Food Regulator).

Section 21 of the Act provides that membership of the agri-food regulator shall consist of a Chairperson and seven Ordinary Members.

An Rialálaí Agraibhia will promote the principles of fairness and transparency in the agricultural and food supply chain by performing a price / market analysis and reporting function and will become the State’s designated enforcement authority for enforcing the rules on unfair trading practices in business-to-business relationships in the agricultural and food supply chain. The functions of enforcement of Unfair Trading Practices currently being implemented on an interim basis in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine will move to An Rialálaí Agraibhia.