Improving the functioning of the food supply chain
The High Level Forum for a Better Functioning Food Supply Chain, established in 2010, has presented its report.
It shows that around 80 % of the initiatives contained in the Forum's Roadmap have been satisfactorily implemented.
The Forum looks forward to a consensus yet to be reached on the best way to implement the principles of good practice put forward last year to improve business-to-business relationships.
All parties showed their clear willingness to continue discussions in a constructive way and the Commission encourages stakeholders to put forward a satisfactory solution at the earliest opportunity. In parallel the Commission will assess all possible options for tackling unfair trading practices in the food chain, including legislation, and will launch an impact assessment.
In a joint statement, the European Commission Vice-President Antonio Tajani, Commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship, and fellow Commissioners Michel Barnier, Tonio Borg and Dacian Cioloş said:
"We regret that no agreement has yet been reached on business-to-business unfair trading practices but believe that this can still be done. Stakeholders should maintain an active and committed endeavour to conclude an agreement in the field of business-to-business unfair trading practices. At our meeting today, we have all agreed that we must commit to continue working to the benefit of all actors in the food supply chain. In parallel, the Commission will also examine all options available, including the regulatory one, to address this issue. We aim to achieve clarity on the way forward by the autumn of next year. Our objective is to promote confidence throughout the food chain to the benefit of all - producers, manufacturers, retailers and consumers."
