Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 May 2026
447. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to instruct Rialálaí Agraibhia (Agri-Food Regulator) to provide the true composite value of beef offal, commonly referred to as the (The Fifth Quarter). [35832/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am satisfied that the Agri-Food Regulator is fulfilling its overall statutory role to the highest standards, in particular on enforcing Unfair Trading Practices legislation, and continues to work on behalf of stakeholders along the agri-food supply chain.
In relation to its price and market analysis role, the Regulator reported that while the majority of operators had submitted all information requested of them, a number of operators failed to comply with its requests for information on a voluntary basis.
As a result, 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 agrifood businesses, including retailers, to deliver additional transparency in the agri-food supply chain.
I am satisfied that the new regulations are proportionate and while the Regulator has no role in setting market prices, it will allow the Regulator to provide further insightful analysis of the agri-food marketplace with a view to strengthening the position of smaller suppliers, while having regard to the potential impact on the competitiveness of and competition within retail and food service sectors.
The new regulations will come into force on 31st December 2026. This lead-in period is to allow the Regulator to develop the capacity and the procedures required to deliver on its additional responsibilities under the new regulations.
The Regulator has ongoing close consultation with stakeholders in the sector and this among other factors informs its annual work plan. I am satisfied that this is working well and that the new powers should assist the Regulator in adding transparency along all sectors of the agrifood supply chain.
I note that while information on the fifth quarter is not collected or published under the European Union Market Transparency Regulations, the Bord Bia tracker does provide information by using the US by-products market indicator as reflective of market trends in these globally traded products.
