AGRI Committee in favour of strengthening farmers’ position in the food supply chain

Agriculture and Rural Development Committee clarifies proposed rules aimed at restoring balanced power relations in the agri-food supply chain.

The amendments to the rules on the common organisation of markets in agricultural products aim to strengthen contractual position of farmers in the food supply chain and thus stabilise their income.

In a report adopted with 33 votes to 10 and 5 abstentions, Members of the Agriculture Committee propose several clarifications.

Terms used in labelling and marketing

Members want to clarify when agricultural products can be called “fair” or “equitable”. They therefore add the contribution to the development of rural communities or the promotion of the development of farmers’ organisation among the criteria to use for such labelling.

The term “short supply chain” should be used on labels or in advertisement only for products that are produced in the EU with a limited number of intermediaries between a farmer and a consumer or that are handled in a short distance or during a short time, say Members.

Producer organisations

In order to avoid unnecessary competition between production models, the report opposes the creation of organisations of organic products producers.

Members support the obligation of written contracts for deliveries of agricultural products. They, however, propose that member states may decide to exempt specific sectors of the obligation at the request of an organisation representing the sector.

Derogation from EU competition rules for sustainable products

The report extends the proposed list of sustainability standards that must be applied by farmers in order to receive a derogation from the EU competition rules for their agreements, decisions and practices. Members add objectives such as investments for the use of water resources, promotion of local production or guaranteeing a stable and fair income for farmers to the list.

Next steps

The adopted report will be tabled for plenary vote during an upcoming session of the Parliament.