New food ombudsman must have ‘real teeth’ to protect farmers from unfair trading

Minister McConalogue signed the statutory instrument that sets out the regulations to give effect in Irish law, on Wednesday

The new ombudsman will enforce EU-wide rules on prohibited, unfair trading practices in the food-supply chain and will have powers to enforce this directive and to penalise those who breach regulation. File Picture.  

A public consultation on the appointment of a national food ombudsman (NFO) has been opened this week, with the Irish Farmers’ Association warning that it must have “real teeth” and be able to hold processors and retailers to account.

Charlie McConalogue, the agriculture, food, and the marine minister, opened the consultation on which primary legislation is needed to appoint a food ombudsman.