Public consultation on establishing new Food Ombudsman launched
‘Bringing a greater level of transparency to all parts of the supply chain’
A new Food Ombudsman is to be established in Ireland and Minister Charlie McConalogue has launched a public consultation in respect of the matter. Picture: Damian Coleman.
Tue, 27 Apr, 2021 - 12:00
Aisling Kiernan
A public consultation has been launched with regard to the setting up of a National Food Ombudsman in Ireland.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue made the announcement this week after highlighting at a Beef Taskforce meeting on Thursday that a Food Ombudsman would be in situ by later this year.
Minister McConalogue launches public consultation on establishment of a National Food Ombudsman/Regulator
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie Mc McConalogue T.D., has today announced the opening of a public consultation on the primary legislation needed to establish a new Office of a National Food Ombudsman or Regulator.
A key Programme for Government commitment, the new Office will have a role in analysing and reporting on price and market data in Ireland and will also incorporate Enforcement Authority functions required by the Unfair Trading Practices Directive. In addition to establishing the new Office, the primary legislation may introduce rules that go beyond those included in the UTP Directive.
MEAT factories have hit back at claims that Irish farmers are not receiving the market value for beef exported to Britain, as a stand-off on cattle price gathers pace across the country.
While Irish base prices have hardened to €3.85/kg for bullocks and €3.90/kg for heifers, factories are struggling to secure supplies this week as bigger finishers hold out for €4/kg.
The differential in finished cattle prices between Britain and Ireland, which stands at over €1/kg or around €300/hd, continues to cause difficulties on the ground for meat factories, with finishers convinced that more can and will be paid for beef.
Grant Thornton report may not be worth the paper it s written on – ICSA 30 March 2021 Free farmersjournal.ie - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from farmersjournal.ie Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
March 10, 2021 2:29 pm
The Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) president Tim Cullinan has rejected claims by Meat Industry Ireland (MII) about beef prices.
Tim Cullinan said: “At last night’s IFA online beef meeting, attended by 250 farmers, the fact that the Irish price is now 13c behind the Bord Bia Prime Export Benchmark price was highlighted, which is based on a weighted composite price in our main export markets.
“Beef prices must push on and reflect the reality of the market place.”
Tim Cullinan said despite the claims of MII, Grant Thornton admitted to the beef taskforce yesterday that it doesn’t have the authority to access the information needed for a full and independent appraisal of the value of beef at all points in the supply chain.