EU: entry into force of the regulations for the protection of the farmers in the food supply chain

The new European regulations that guarantee the protection of 100% of the European farmers, as well as of the small and medium suppliers against unfair trading practices in the food supply chain, came into force last April 30th.

Published in the Official Journal of the EU last week, the new EU legislation includes agricultural and food products commercialised within the framework of the food supply chain.

For the first time, 16 unfair trade practices imposed unilaterally by any commercial partner (retailers, food processors, wholesalers, cooperatives, producers' organisations, isolated producers) will be forbidden in the EU. The member states shall appoint the authorities in charge of implementing the new regulations. They will have the power to impose fines and start inquiries after the complaints.

DIRECTIVE (EU) 2019/633 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 17 April 2019 on unfair trading practices in business-to-business relationships in the agricultural and food supply chain