Agri-food regulator to begin its work within next fortnight
Former IFA president Joe Healy has been named as the new regulator's first chairman. Picture: Andy Gibson.
The new agri-food regulator, An Rialálaí Agraibhia, is set to begin its work within the next two weeks, with former Irish Farmers' Association president Joe Healy at the helm.
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 McConalogue 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, December 13 to coincide with the establishment day of the new Office.
Other proposed members include John Comer, Karen Brosnan, Margaret Dineen, Elaine Donohue, Angus Woods, Grace McCullen, and Paul Brophy.
Current IFA president Tim Cullinan said it had been a "long campaign" to get to this point.
"Wednesday, December 13 will be a significant day in working towards the rebalancing of the food supply chain,” he said.
"This new State body tasked with regulating the food supply chain, An Rialálaí Agrabhia, will play a very important role in bringing fairness back into our food supply chain and level the playing pitch in negotiations between farmers, processors and retailers."
In conjunction with her new role as chief executive of the Agri Regulator, Niamh Lenehan will continue as Head of Unfair Trading Practices Enforcement Authority, which has the aim of ensuring that food retailers, food processors and all those involved in buying food produce from farmers comply with the unfair trading practices directive.
