IFA launches Christmas produce campaign as minister announces make-up of Agri Food Regulator board

The Irish Farmers Association (IFA) launched its Christmas Campaign in north Dublin this morning, in the heart of the country's horticulture sector that produces seasonal vegetables for the traditional Christmas dinner.

The campaign features the various sectors that produce what appears on the table for Christmas Day.

President of the IFA, Tim Cullinan, said the work and investment by farmers and growers provides families with the highest quality food and drink for the festive season.

“Consumers are very fortunate to have world-class produce for their families to enjoy over Christmas. They recognise the commitment of farmers and growers and they can see the benefits the farming sector brings to our economy,” he said.

The IFA president reminded retailers of their responsibility to pay a viable price to producers.

“Price wars are inherently damaging to growers, destabilising demand for their produce and creating the impression that costs of production are lower than they actually are,” he said.

Tim Cullinan said the first programme of work for the Agri-Food Regulator when it officially begins next week is a root-and-branch investigation of the food chain.

The number of fruit and vegetable growers has been in decline for the past 20 years due to margin pressures exerted on growers from the top of the food chain.

“The new Agri Food Regulator will have responsibility for all producers of food, but this sector is on the brink of non-viability and needs immediate attention in order to retain grower numbers and fresh produce production in Ireland,” he said.

“Farmers were never more in need of a voice and regulation to stand up for their livelihoods in an ever more dysfunctional food supply chain. Today’s food supply chain is dominated by a small number of big players. Their dominance is determining the livelihoods and future of farmers and food producers,” he concluded.

Chairperson announced

The Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, intends to appoint Joe Healy as Chairperson of the Board of An Rialálaí Agraibhia, the Agri Food Regulator.

Mr Healy will be joined by seven ordinary Board members also to be appointed by the minister. All of the Board appointments will formally commence when the Regulator is formally established on Wednesday 13th December next.

Minister McConalogue said: “The formal establishment of the new Regulator’s Office is now in sight which is a major milestone in our commitment to bring more fairness and transparency to the agri-food supply chain. Appointing the Board is the next step and I am delighted with the calibre of Board members who have put themselves forward to serve. All have come through a full selection process which has now concluded. I am delighted to confirm my intention to nominate Joe Healy to be the Chairperson of the Board. Joe brings a vast amount of experience on all aspects of the agricultural and food supply chain. He has the requisite leadership and organisational skills to steer the strategy and governance of the new Regulator as it begins its historic journey to bring greater fairness and transparency to the agri-food sector.”

Minister McConalogue also announced his intention to appoint the following persons as ordinary members to the Board: John Comer, Karen Brosnan, Margaret Dineen, Elaine Donohue, Angus Woods, Grace McCullen, and Paul Brophy.

Minister McConalogue said: “The proposed board members all have expertise in matters relevant to the Regulator’s functions. Their combined experience and knowledge will be of huge benefit to the new body as they support the Chairperson to lead and direct the activities of An Rialálaí Agraibhia and to work with the CEO designate Niamh Lenehan in the effective management of the new Regulator. I am particularly pleased to be in a position to appoint an even gender balance on the Board which helps to fulfil my commitment to improving diversity in our State bodies.

Joe Healy said: “I am honoured to be nominated by Minister McConalogue to fulfil this important role as Chair of the first Board of the new Agri-Food Regulator and I look forward to taking up the role in the coming weeks. All stakeholders need to have trust and confidence in the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain and also in this new Regulator and I look forward to working with both my Board colleagues and the CEO of the Regulator, Niamh Lenehan, to put in the place the strategy and functions to deliver on our mandate. It is a hugely positive development for suppliers to now have a Regulator who will provide analysis of information about price and market data as well as having powers to investigate reports of suspected breaches and pursue offences where they occur in unfair trading practices”.

Minister McConalogue also confirmed that the offices of An Rialálaí Agraibhia will be based in the Government shared offices campus in Backweston, Celbridge, Co Kildare. The first Board meeting of the Office is scheduled for Wednesday 13th December to coincide with the establishment day of the new Office.

This proposed Chairperson and members were selected following a competition held by the State Boards Appointments service.

The proposed board members

Joe Healy is a dairy and cattle farmer from Athenry and is a former National President of both Macra na Feirme 1995 – 1997 and more recently the IFA 2016 – 2020. He also served as 1st Vice President of COPA (European Farmers Organisation) where he chaired the influential Food Chain Committee. Currently he is Chairman of Cultivate (Credit Unions Agri Finance) and sits on the boards of Self Help Africa, Gurteen Agricultural College and the European Economic and Social Committee.

Grace McCullen is a strategist and commercial marketer and has worked in food, drink and agri-business for 25 years with a range of companies. Grace holds an MSc Digital Marketing & Data Analytics, BSc Food Business and Dip. Food Science & Technology and grew up on a farm in Meath.

John Comer is a dairy farmer from Co Mayo. He was previously President of the ICMSA and is currently a member of the European Economic and Social Committee

Karen Brosnan has worked as a management consultant in the agri-food sector since 2000, specialising in strategy, governance and leadership. She was a former Chairperson of Nuffield Ireland and Gurteen College and is currently a Director of AgriAware.

Margaret Dineen has over 20 years of experience of managing commercial trading relationships across the fresh food industry. A management consultant and accountant, Margaret now works with SME’s within the Irish Food Industry in developing their supply chain optimisation and commercial business development.

Elaine Donohue is from a farming background. Elaine has a wealth of experience across the breadth and depth of National Food Supply Chains spanning many sectors. Elaine currently works at the helm of Bia Innovator Campus, focused on innovation, incubation and the sustainability of the grassroots food industry.

Angus Woods is a beef, sheep and tillage farmer, and is a columnist with the Farming Independent. He is a former President of the EU Civil Dialogue for Animal products and has served on a number of boards in the agri-food sector including ICBF and Bord Bia's Meat and Livestock board.

Paul Brophy is a primary producer in the horticulture sector with over 40 years experience. He is chairman of Unigreen, a producer organisation of five progressive vegetable producers. Paul has formerly served on the horticulture board of Bord Bia and was a former chair of the IFA horticulture sector

The Minister brought forward the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Bill 2022 in line with the Programme for Government commitment to establish a new authority to ensure fairness, equity, and transparency in the food chain. The Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Act 2023 provides for the establishment of a new independent statutory Authority to be known as ‘An Rialálaí Agraibhia’ (Agri-Food Regulator).

Section 21 of the Act provides that membership of the agri-food regulator shall consist of a chairperson and seven ordinary members.

An Rialálaí Agraibhia will promote the principles of fairness and transparency in the agricultural and food supply chain by performing a price / market analysis and reporting function and will become the State’s designated enforcement authority for enforcing the rules on unfair trading practices in business-to-business relationships in the agricultural and food supply chain. The functions of enforcement of Unfair Trading Practices currently being implemented on an interim basis in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine will move to An Rialálaí Agraibhia.