Appointing an independent retail regulator would place tougher legislation on the food chain, IFA president Joe Healy said.

He was responding to comments by the head of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, Isolde Goggin, who said the Commission didn’t have the resources to regulate the sector.

“The fact that the CCPC is walking away from this won’t surprise farmers, who never had faith in the Commission to pursue retailers,” said Healy. “We have always held up the UK model as the basis for making real headway in this area. With the CCPC off the pitch, we want the Government to get this moving. The good work done at EU level will only have an impact if there is robust enforcement on behalf of primary producers.”

EU legislation exists for Member States to establish an independent authority since Unfair Trading Practices legislation was passed.

“It’s time for our Government to get on with it and transpose the EU Directive into Irish law,” Healy concluded.

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IFA calls for independent retail regulator

The Government should go ahead and appoint an independent retail regulator, the IFA has said.