Meat-processing market concentration
Pat Deering raises concerns about ABP’s takeovers and the lack of competition regulations; the Taoiseach undertakes to seek responses from the relevant Ministers.
Much concern has been expressed in recent days about the takeover of a number of meat plants throughout the country by one individual and the ABP Food Group. For example, it has taken over Slaney Foods. It has now become a potentially dominant player in the market. The Competition and Consumer Protection Act was passed by the Oireachtas a year ago but no regulations have been put in place to cover matters such as this. When will those regulations be introduced, because there are serious matters coming down the line?
Comment on this
The Deputy is correct that the legislation was passed in July 2014. I will take up the matter with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Coveney, for a response in respect of his responsibility in this area and with the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Bruton, who deals with competition and the consumer.