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The European Commission has today adopted a communication encouraging Member States to look for ways to improve protection of small food producers and retailers against the unfair practices of their sometimes much stronger trading partners.
Before a food product reaches the consumer, many different market players (producers, processors, retailers, etc.) in the supply chain add to its quality and value. Due to developments such as increased market concentration, there are very different levels of bargaining power in the relations between the players in the supply chain. Whilst differences in bargaining powers are common and legitimate in commercial relationships, these imbalances can in some cases lead to unfair trading practices (UTPs).
Main elements
The communication on UTPs suggests a number of stakeholder priorities to facilitate an effective EU-wide framework against such practices. It does not propose regulatory action at EU level but encourages Member States to make sure they have appropriate measures against UTPs in place, taking into account their national circumstances. The suggestions in the communication are based on three building blocks:
1. Support of the voluntary Supply Chain Initiative: Voluntary codes of conduct are an important cornerstone of fair and sustainable commercial relationships. Therefore, the Communication encourages operators in the food supply chain to join the existing Supply Chain Initiative launched in September 2013 and its national platforms. It also calls on the governance group of the initiative to maximise the participation of SMEs which are the key beneficiaries of the initiative.
2. EU-wide standards for principles of good practice: Those Member States that are already tackling UTPs at national level have chosen different approaches to do so. On the other hand, some Member States have not yet taken any specific action against UTPs at all. In order to address UTPs effectively throughout the EU, and particularly across borders, a common understanding of rules addressing UTPs would be beneficial. The Communication suggests that the principles of the Supply Chain Initiative could be the basis of such a common regulatory understanding.
3. Effective enforcement at national level: If the weaker party in a trading relationship is economically dependent on its stronger counterparty, it may often refrain from defending itself against UTPs through court litigation or voluntary resolution mechanisms for fear of compromising or losing its commercial relationship. To establish a credible deterrence factor against the use of UTPs, the Communication suggests minimum enforcement standards applicable throughout the EU.
Tuesday July 15, 2014/ EC/ European Union.
http://europa.eu/rapid/
