Agri-Food Regulator examining 10 complaints

Some 10 complaints are currently being examined by the Agri-Food Regulator, the statutory body has confirmed.

Responding to a query from the Irish Farmers Journal, the Agri-Food Regulator said it is considering some 10 complaints at present.

In total, the regulator received 19 complaints in 2024, one of which was subsequently withdrawn.

“Sectors to which complaints referred to include meat, dairy, cereals and horticulture, as well as products that are outside the scope of the unfair trading regulations,” a spokesperson for the Agri-Food Regulator added.

Court case

The Agri-Food Regulator took a civil case against a halal meat plant over the non-payment of cattle, which was heard at Ennis District Court in early December.

Shannon-based Asba Meats Ltd was convicted over the non-payment of cattle delivered to the slaughter plant by west of Ireland farmer Pat McGrath.

The civil case was brought by the Agri-Food Regulator following a complaint by Mr McGrath and the case is the first conviction for a breach of unfair trading practices regulations.

One year

The Agri-Food Regulator is now just over one year in existence. It is an independent statutory office that was established under the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Act 2023.

The regulator is the designated enforcement authority for unfair trading practices regulations.

Its aim is to promote fairness and transparency in the agri-food supply chain. Its statutory remit and focus is on business-to-business relationships within the supply chain.

At the beginning of December, the Agri-Food Regulator began publishing information on what factories are getting paid for beef.

In September, chair of the board Joe Healy wrote to the Minister for Agriculture requesting extra powers for the Agri-Food Regulator.

CEO Niamh Lenehan confirmed to this publication some weeks ago that it is awaiting a response on this.