Sinn Féin spokesperson on Agriculture, Claire Kerrane TD, has called for the new Agri-Food Regulator (An Rialaí Agraibhia) to be operational as soon as possible.

Legislation to establish the new Regulator was passed in July, but the office is not yet up and running.

Minister McConalogue stated that the Regulator will be operational by the end of this year, in a response to a query in the Dáil from Teachta Kerrane last week.

Speaking today, Teachta Kerrane said:

“The Minister confirmed in response to a query I made to him in the Dáil that work on getting the new Agri-Food Regulator up and running is underway

“I understand applications are also being considered for the Board of An Rialálaí Agraibhia, which the Minister stated will be announced ‘in the near future.’

“While I welcome the Minister’s confirmation that these key stages are underway, it is crucial that the new Agri-Food Regulator is operational as soon as possible.

“Farmers and producers have waited long enough for the establishment of a long-promised Regulator.

“Its need was particularly highlighted during protests by producers at factory gates in 2019 – four years ago.

“There is no more room for shifting timelines on this, we now need to see the office up and running as a priority for the Minister and his Department.

“I will continue to monitor progress in this area and will push for the new Regulator to be operational as soon as possible.

“Sinn Féin also wants to see an Agri-Food Regulator that is equipped to act on unfair and anti-competitive practices, which the scope of the Regulator currently doesn’t include. This is something I am actively looking at through the legislative process.”