Agri-Food Regulator issues legal proceedings over alleged unfair trading
The Agri-Food Regulator has for the first time issued legal proceedings against a business in the agri-food supply chain in relation to an alleged breach of unfair trading rules.
The regulator confirmed the move — without naming the business — in an update on its activities following the recent publication of its strategy statement for 2024 to 2026.
It urged agri-food product suppliers who feel they “may have been or are subject to an unfair trading practice” to contact the regulator.
It also said it had, for the first time, carried out a number of on-site compliance inspections using legislative powers available under the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Act 2023.
These inspections seek to ensure that the policies and procedures, systems, internal control mechanisms and arrangements relating to unfair trading practices, and any mechanisms to address deficiencies, in a business are in compliance with the 2023 Act and associated regulations.