On Monday 16 April, the agriculture ministers of the European Union came together in welcoming the proposal for a directive aimed at strengthening the position of farmers in the food supply chain (see EUROPE 12000).
The Danish and British ministers were the only ones to express reticence regarding the proposal, which will be examined on 23 April by experts from the Special Committee on Agriculture (SCA). Two Council working groups will scrutinise the text from a technical aspect.
Several ministers - including those from Spain, France, Portugal, Hungary and Estonia – called for the scope of the text to be broadened so that not only SME suppliers are covered.
European Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan pointed out that, if they so wish, EU countries “can go further” than the provisions set out in the directive. He said the proposal focused on small operations as “the big fish already have considerable negotiating power”.
Price transparency. The Czech Republic takes the view that the text is a first stage that should be followed by improved transparency. Several other countries, especially Italy, stressed the need to improve transparency with regards price fixing.
The directive is the appropriate instrument as Finland is preparing draft legislation, the minister for that country said. The proposal is logical and we are pleased with it, said Lithuania. “We find the proposal suitable”, said Poland, trusting however, like Romania, that there will be a longer list of unfair trade practices. Hungary was critical when it came to the matter of sending perishable goods back to producers (the question of unsold produce). Belgium stated that, at national level, provisions are planned on terms of payment (sometimes 14 days as in the fruit and vegetable sector, compared with 30 in the text of the proposal).
France takes the view that the text should take account of the development of central purchasing offices at European level (the risk of relocation of such central bodies was evoked by the French minister). Slovakia said “beginning the work is not a victory: it must be completed”. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)