Ireland’s newly established Agri-Food Regulator has alerted buyers of agri-food products to check whether or not they are required to appoint a designated liaison officer under new regulations.
Under the new regulations, any agri-food buyer whose turnover exceeds €50 million must submit an annual compliance report by the end of March, annually.
The 2023 Unfair Trading (UT) Regulations have set a deadline of mid-June to appoint a required liaison officer.
The first report is required on or before 31 March 2025.
The role of the designated liaison officer will be to communicate with the organisation about the regulations.
A liaison officer must be appointment no later than six months following the introduction of the regulations.
An Rialálaí Agraibhia
The Agri-Food Regulator – officially named An Rialálaí Agraibhia – was established on 13 December 2023.
The organisation was set up to provide market analysis and transparency on business relationships between farmers, processors, and the multiples that buy their produce.
It also aims to stop unfair trading practices.
The regulator will be providing a template for the submission of reports later in the year.
The reports will be used to monitor compliance with the provisions of the UT regulations.
It will also inform how risk-based inspection visits by authorised officers of the regulator should be conducted.
The chief executive of the Agri-Food Regulator, Niamh Lenehan, said, “The Agri-Food Regulator was established to promote fairness and transparency in the agri-food supply chain, with a focus on business-to-business relationships.
“This compliance-reporting obligation on relevant buyers will facilitate the regulator in overseeing compliance with the UT regulations along the agri-food supply chain.
“Since establishment, we have held a significant number of meetings with businesses and organisations representing all stages of the food supply chain.
“We are committed to ensuring that there are open and constructive relationships, and a full understanding of the regulator’s role and remit.”
More information can be found on the regulator’s official website: www.agrifoodregulator.ie.
Read More: Government’s Agri-Food Regulator Formally Established
