Fianna Fáil TD for Mayo Dara Calleary has welcomed confirmation that the National Food Ombudsman will be established, as announced in Budget 2021.
Deputy Calleary said, “For over a sustained period in opposition, Fianna Fáil’s campaign for fair prices and transparency in the food chain centred on establishing an independent National Food Ombudsman (NFO).
“I am delighted to see Budget 2021 deliver on this explicit promise with monies allocated to establishing such an office in the coming year.
“The Programme for Government committed to ensuring fairness, equity and transparency in the food chain by establishing a new authority called the National Food Ombudsman to enforce the Unfair Trading Practices Directive.
“This NFO will enforce EU wide rules on prohibited unfair trading practices in the food supply chain and will have powers to enforce this Directive, penalising those who breach regulations. This will have a positive impact for farmers in County Mayo.
“It is also envisaged that the NFO will have a specific role in analysing and reporting on price and market data in Ireland. Such swift action from the Department and the Government on this matter is very welcome,” concluded Deputy Calleary.