Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue TD, 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.
