Established under the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Act 2023, An Rialálaí Agraibhia will preform 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.

Speaking yesterday, agriculture, food and marine minister Charlie McConalogue said: “This is a major landmark in the history of Ireland’s agri-food sector.

“I have long advocated for the establishment of this independent authority, and it is a great personal privilege for me, as minister for agriculture, food and the marine, to have brought this from its introductory legislation and to be here today on its establishment day.”

Yesterday marked the first meeting of the new regulator’s board at its headquarters on the government campus in Backweston, Co Kildare.

Chairperson Joe Healy said: “It is so important that this independent regulator is in place to promote fairness and transparency in the agri-food supply chain and in particular to have regard to the circumstances and needs of farming, fishing and small food businesses.”

CEO Niamh Lenehan said: “I very much look forward to sharing the journey ahead with the Board, staff and stakeholders with an immediate focus on the delivery of a statement of strategy and associated workplan underpinned by the powers and functions assigned to the Regulator under the 2023 Act.”