This week’s announcement that the Agri-Food Regulator will get the powers to compel the provision of price and market data is welcome but long overdue. The absence of these powers was widely recognised from the outset as a flaw in the legislation that established the office in 2023.

This was quickly recognised by the board, and they promptly sought the extension of their powers. Despite this week’s announcement, it will be the end of next year when they come into effect.

Even with this extension, the office remains extremely limited in its capacity to bring transparency to the agri-food supply chain beyond the farm gate. Given the length of time it took to establish the office and extend its powers, an immediate review should be undertaken on how their role could be expanded further.

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