Ensuring Fair Trading in the Agri-Food Supply Chain

Minister McConalogue to lead seminar ‘Ensuring Fair Trading in the Agri-Food Supply Chain’
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on 26 April 2022
Last updated on 26 April 2022

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue T.D., has announced details on a major seminar on the Unfair Trading Practices Enforcement Authority. The seminar is entitled ‘Ensuring Fair Trading in the Agri-Food Supply Chain’ is being held by the Department’s Backweston Campus, Celbridge, Co Kildare on Thursday 5th May.

The seminar, which is being held in-person and which will also be live streamed, marks the first anniversary of the signing of the Unfair Trading Practice (UTP) Regulations by the Minister. The Department’s Enforcement Authority will outline the work it has undertaken since establishment and highlight to buyers and suppliers of agri-food products their respective obligations and rights under the Regulations. The seminar will also communicate the main findings of the recent UTP surveys where primary producers and supplier businesses were asked about unfair trading practice related issues they face within the food supply chain.

Minister McConalogue said:
“This will be a very exciting and informative seminar and it is one that I am delighted to speak at. It represents a great opportunity for the Enforcement Authority to highlight the activities and initiatives they have undertaken since their establishment to promote compliance with the UTP Regulations. I also look forward to hearing about the findings of the recent UTP surveys which will provide insights into supplier views and concerns on trading practices in the food supply chain”.

The Minister continued
“The event is also timely as it creates further awareness that, from next Thursday 28th April, all supply agreements will be in scope of the UTP Regulations and must be fully compliant from that date. I am also excited to be able to share the work we are doing in the area and, equally, I am looking forward to see the establishing of the Office for Fairness and Transparency in the Agri Food Supply Chain later this year. ”.

The Minister will reflect on the past year’s developments at the seminar as well as the transition to the new Office for Fairness and Transparency in the agri-food supply chain. The Minister will also participate in a Q & A session at the event which will be moderated by RTÉ Countrywide presenter Damien O’Reilly.

Note to the Editor
Attendees are welcome to attend the seminar in-person in the Shared Facilities Building at Backweston Laboratory Campus, Celbridge, Co Kildare.

The seminar will also be accessible as a live stream event and will commence at 9AM and conclude at approx. 10.30AM. Breakfast will be available beforehand from 8AM in the adjoining restaurant for in-person attendees.

Pre-registration for all attendees is required and early registration is encouraged for in-person attendees as capacity at the venue is limited. Registration details for the event are available on www.utp.gov.ie

Unfair Trading Practices Enforcement Authority (EA) Breakfast Seminar:
Ensuring Fair Trading in the Agri-Food Supply Chain
Backweston Campus, Celbridge, Co. Kildare – 5th May 2022
08:00 |Breakfast and networking
09:00 |Introduction and welcome
Sinéad McPhillips, Assistant Secretary General
09:05 |Summary of EA Activities to date
Noel Collins, Head of the UTP Enforcement Authority
09:20 |Main findings of Supplier Survey
Bernie Coyne, Managing Director, Coyne Research
09:35 |EA Priorities ahead of transfer of functions to New Office
Noel Collins, Head of the UTP Enforcement Authority
09.45 |Keynote Address
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue TD
09.55|Q&A Session
Damien O’Reilly Moderating with Minister McConalogue and Noel Collins.
10:30 |Event ends
Opportunity afterwards for in-person attendees to raise any issues on a one-to-one basis with Enforcement Authority staff

Press Release Content below.

https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/fe0f5-minister-mcconalogue-to-lead-seminar-ensuring-fair-trading-in-the-agri-food-supply-chain/