European Parliament in favour of a stronger position for farmers in the food supply chain
The European Parliament has voted in favour of proposals for EU rules that would better balance the relationship between actors in the food supply chain and empower farmers.
In order to ensure more stable incomes for farmers, MEPs on Wednesday adopted their negotiating position on the situation of farmers in the food supply chain. They agreed on the principle that the supply of agricultural products should be based on a written contract, while retaining the possibility to waive this requirement if an individual organisation representing farmers so requests. In addition, if the value of the agricultural production does not exceed €4,000, this transaction would also not require a written contract (the Commission proposed a threshold of €10,000).
In order to avoid unnecessary competition between different farmers, MEPs do not support the proposal to allow the creation of producer organisations for organic products, but would instead accept the possibility of maintaining the possibility of creating producer organisations only for a specific agricultural sector.
Europeans also want to clarify when the descriptions "fair" or "equitable" can be used on labels for the supply of agricultural products. Helping the development of rural communities or farmers' organisations could justify the use of these terms, MEPs believe. In addition, the use of the term "short supply chain" on labels would only be allowed for products produced in the EU with a limited number of intermediaries or a short supply distance and time to reach the consumer.
MEPs propose to add to EU rules that plant and animal food and feed from third countries can only be imported if the pesticide residue limit does not exceed the maximum limit allowed for EU produced products.
In order to increase the quality and competitiveness of European agricultural products, MEPs are seeking to give preference to EU agricultural products, local products, seasonal products, and products with protected geographical indications and designations of origin in supply contracts approved by the public procurement process.
Europeans have proposed to tighten the definition of meat, defining it as "the edible part of animals". The term steak, sausage or hamburger should only be used to describe meat-containing products and should not be allowed to refer to plant-based products, MEPs said.
EPP rapporteur Céline Imart (Party of the European People's Party, France) said: "We want to ensure that farmers have contracts with the primary buyer. We need to end the unstable business relationships that currently exist and ensure fair rewards for those who feed us. Farm incomes are not just statistics or abstract numbers. It is a question of justice, dignity and sometimes even survival. Those who produce our food are part of our identity. These rules are the least we owe them.
The amendments to the EU rules were supported by 532 MEPs, with 78 opposed and 25 abstentions. Negotiations with the Council of the EU on the final draft rules will begin on 14 October.
