Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 May 2026
906. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the rationale for the new regulations granting the Agri-Food Regulator additional powers to compel price and market information; the reasons for the lead-in time before commencement; and the basis for excluding small businesses from the scope of these measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35255/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am satisfied that An Rialálaí Agraibhia (the Agrifood Regulator) is fulfilling its overall statutory role to the highest standards, in particular on the UTP legislation, and continues to work on behalf of stakeholders in the agri-food sector. However, in relation to its market analysis role, the Regulator reported that a number of operators had failed to comply with its requests for information on a voluntary basis, inhibiting its ability to deliver on its statutory responsibilities under the Act.
In response, in December 2025 I signed new regulations to fulfil the Programme for Government commitment to confer on the Agri-Food Regulator enhanced powers to compel price and market information from businesses to deliver additional transparency in the agri-food supply chain.
The new regulations will come into force on December 31st 2026, allowing sufficient lead-in time for the Agri-Food Regulator to develop the necessary systems, processes and procedures to implement the new powers effectively. The Agri-Food Regulator was consulted in relation to the new powers and implementation.
The 2025 Programme for Government stated that Departments must rigorously implement the SME test to scrutinise each new piece of legislation and regulation for its impact on SMEs. Following completion of the SME test, I decided that small businesses would be excluded from the legislation to decrease potential administrative and business costs. This decision was also based on the conclusion that the exclusion will not have a material effect on the ability of the Regulator to deliver on the new legislation.
