Minister O’Brien welcomes commitment for National Food Ombudsman

Local Minister Darragh O’Brien TD has welcomed the strong commitment given by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, that the establishment of a National Food Ombudsman is an immediate priority.

Minister O’Brien said, “I was very glad to see Minister McConalogue, in his first week in the portfolio, give a clear commitment to establish a National Food Ombudsman as a matter of priority. I know this will be of major benefit to many of our food producers here in North County Dublin.

“It’s something which I have been raising for a number of years now and in my time in Seanad Éireann I submitted amendments to the 2014 Competition and Consumer Protection Bill seeking the establishment of an Ombudsman to oversee fairness and transparency in the agri-food industry.

“The Programme for Government commits to establishing a National Food Ombudsman which will be empowered to oversee the relationship between retailers, wholesalers and their suppliers, including the primary producer thus ensuring a more transparent and equitable food supply chain.

“A fair return for primary producers is pivotal to the long-term survival of the industry. I want food producers here in Dublin Fingal to be protected. We need to see equity and transparency in the food chain. A National Food Ombudsman will be able to oversee and enforce this and that is to be welcomed,” concluded Minister O’Brien.