The Agri-Food Regulator – An Rialálaí Agraibhia – is a new, independent, statutory office that is soon to be established. Niamh progressed through a competitive recruitment process, according to the minister, and will commence her position on an interim basis as head of the Unfair Trading Practices (UTP) Enforcement Authority based in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM). She will formally become CEO-designate of the Agri-Food Regulator on the enactment of the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Bill, and will become CEO on its establishment day.
Niamh’s most recent professional role has been with the Insolvency Service of Ireland where she has led initiatives in the areas of policy and regulation. She also previously held management roles with Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI). She holds a doctoral degree in education from Maynooth University in addition to qualifications in agricultural science (Honours Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Science from University College Dublin and a Master’s Degree from Kansas State University, US). She also holds a professional certificate in corporate governance from the Institute of Public Administration.
Commenting on Niamh’s appointment, Minister McConalogue said: “I believe we have found a tremendous professional who brings all the skills and experience to be a success as first CEO of the soon-to-be established Agri Food Regulator office. This is a really important role, and it will be a very influential part of our entire agri-food sector in the coming years. Niamh has strong agriculture and farming links as well as being a success in regulatory and policy roles in her career.”
Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) president, Tim Cullinan, said he looked forward to engaging with Niamh on behalf of farmers, in particular those in the fresh-produce sectors, who are so reliant on the retail sector. “Her appointment comes at a time when 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 at retail level. Their dominance is determining the livelihoods and future of farmers and food producers,” he said. He also paid tribute to the previous head of the UTP Enforcement Authority, Noel Collins, and thanked him for his work and engagement with IFA and farmers over the last two years.
The Agri-Food Regulator, under the aegis of the DAFM, will have two main functions: a price and market-analysis and reporting function, and a regulatory-enforcement function concerning the enforcement of prohibited unfair trading practices.
The Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Bill which establishes the new regulator ffice is currently at report stage in the Dáil. The enabling provisions in the Bill will provide for the transfer of responsibility of Unfair Trading Practices (UTP) enforcement functions from the Department’s UTP Enforcement Authority to the remit of An Rialálaí Agraibhia, which is expected to occur at the time of commencement of the Act. The Bill provides for mechanisms for the Regulator to examine and make recommendations on any aspect of the agri-food supply chain, including the collection and analysis of price and market data to improve transparency and address information gaps in the supply chain.