Brussels, 18/01/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 18 January, EU agriculture ministers discussed how to improve the operation of the food chain in Europe. Discussions will continue in the Special Committee on Agriculture (SCA). According to the Spanish Presidency, ministers spoke about: - price and market transparency; - unfair trade practices contrary to competition rules; - imbalances along the food chain; - contractual relations between producers and industry; - promotion of joint-trade organisations; - and the competitiveness of the agrifood sector. “Several delegations highlighted the importance of measures to bring fairer distribution of added value along the food chain, and on the importance of providing fair recompense for each link in the chain,” said Spanish Agriculture Minister Elena Espinosa. Some countries said there was a need for current rules to be amended to allow for a number of exceptions to help the agrifood sector. “This would allow us to improve the organisation and structure of this sector,” the minister commented. Among the measures that have to be taken most quickly feature the setting up of some kind of European monitoring body to ensure price transparency. (L.C./transl.rt)