An Rialálaí Agraibhia (the Agri-Food Regulator) is pleased to announce its Inaugural Conference, taking place on 20th May at the Johnstown Estate Hotel, Co. Meath. This landmark event will bring together key figures in the Irish and European agri-food sector for a day of discussion, insight, and collaboration.
Attendance is free, offering a unique opportunity for stakeholders across the agri-food supply chain to learn more about the Regulator’s work and the evolving commercial landscape. With increasing focus on fairness, transparency, and sustainability within the industry, this conference comes at a crucial time for producers, suppliers, and retailers alike.
A key highlight of the event will be the announcement of the results from a comprehensive survey examining trading relationships between agri-food product suppliers and the largest Irish retailers and wholesalers. This data will provide valuable insights into current practices and help shape future policy discussions.
The conference will also focus on the broader European context, particularly in light of the recently published EU Commission’s ‘Vision for Agriculture and Food’. This initiative emphasizes the need for a fairer and more transparent food supply chain, supporting the interests of primary producers and promoting resilience across the sector.
An impressive lineup of expert speakers and panellists will contribute to these discussions, including:
Mark White, Groceries Code Adjudicator, UK, bringing insights from the UK’s approach to regulating retail-supplier relationships.
- Patricia Reilly, of the Cabinet of President Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission, offering a view on policymaking from an EU perspective.
- Ciaran Fitzgerald, Agri-Food Economist, providing in-depth analysis of the economic factors shaping the sector.
- Maria Dunne, Assistant Secretary General at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, highlighting national developments.
- Conor Kilduff, Executive Director of Love Irish Food, sharing perspectives from the food branding and marketing industry.
- Dr Karen Lynch Shally, Assistant Professor of Law at Maynooth University, focusing on regulation in national and EU contexts, particularly the interplay between private and public law in enforcement and supervision.
- Niamh Brennan, Senior Policy Executive at Irish Farmers Association, covering horticulture policy development.
In addition to the scheduled presentations and panel sessions, attendees will have the opportunity to connect with industry peers during a Networking Lunch.
While the conference is free, registration is essential as places are limited. Stakeholders in the agri-food industry are encouraged to secure their place early to avoid disappointment.
To register for the event, visit: www.agrifoodregulatorevents.com
