A National Food Ombudsman would help to ensure farmers receive a fair price for their produce, according to Fianna Fail TD Charlie McConalogue.

McConalogue was speaking in the Dail recently as he introduced the National Food Ombudsman Bill 2017.

A fair return for the primary producer is a central plank of Fianna Fail’s agriculture policy and is vital to the long-term survival and success of the horticulture, beef, sheep, liquid milk, pigs, tillage and poultry sectors, he said.

This legislation amends consumer law to provide for a ‘Food Ombudsman’ and the protection of primary producers in national law, he added.

“Fianna Fail is committed to protecting and developing agriculture for the 140,000 farming families in Ireland, as the main driver of the rural economy and custodian of the Irish countryside.

The agri-food sector is not only Ireland’s most important indigenous industry; it also lies at the heart of social and economic life throughout much of the country.

“There are clear imbalances which are undermining its long-term sustainability.

“Especially important is the manner in which family farmers are increasingly finding it difficult to receive fair prices for their produce,” he said.

The future of the family farm unit and long-term food security is reliant upon producing goods at a profit, according to the Fianna Fail Agriculture spokesperson.

‘Farmers are struggling to make a sustainable income’

Farmers are struggling to make a sustainable income in the face of on-going price erosion by large multiple retailers, he said.

This bill would establish an office of National Food Ombudsman, as part of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.

This ‘Food Ombudsman’ would then be able to mediate and investigate disputes between, on the one hand, relevant grocery goods undertakings engaged in the retail or wholesale of grocery goods in the State and, on the other hand, suppliers of those goods, McConalogue said.

“This will ensure that suppliers that may be subject to any unfair trading practices by retailers or wholesalers would have direct recourse to an independent food ombudsman within the CCPC.

“The office holder would retain the powers of the CCPC, which include investigating and resolving disputes relating to the grocery goods undertaking regulations.

Where the regulations are found to be breached, the ombudsman would be empowered to commence investigations, which could result in fines and penalties.

The National Food Ombudsman Bill 2017 will safeguard a fairer future for farmers, ensuring the primary producer’s position is strengthened in the food chain, he said.