EuroCommerce has described the European Commission’s newly-published Vision for Agriculture and Food as a ‘starting point towards shaping the future of our agri-food system’, but argues that more needs to be done to ensure that the entire food supply chain works together.
“The Vision for Agriculture and Food mainly focuses on farming, neglecting the other crucial links in the chain, such as retailers and wholesalers, who play a vital role in delivering high-quality food to consumers and businesses at affordable prices,” commented Christel Delberghe, director general of EuroCommerce.
“If we want a more competitive EU agri-food chain, we need a full team effort from the entire value chain and the decision-makers.”
EuroCommerce, which represents the retail and wholesale trade at a European level, added that the ‘necessary spirit and understanding of cooperation’, as well as the need to mobilise investment to ensure a more competitive, resilient agri-food chain, is lacking from the Vision.
Single Market opportunities
Moreover, the Vision overlooks the opportunities presented by the Single Market when it comes to agriculture and food, with EuroCommerce stating that it ‘misses out on the importance of aligning with consumer expectations and the push toward healthier and more sustainable diets’.
EuroCommerce added that it believes country of origin labelling needs to be considered carefully, as it can have significant impacts on the Single Market.
UTP Directive
Elsewhere, EuroCommerce expressed its disappointment regarding the European Commission’s intention to amend the Unfair Trading Practices (UTP) Directive without first completing its ongoing evaluation.
“It is disheartening that the Commission is pre-empting the outcome of the ongoing evaluation,” Delberghe commented. “We need an evidence-based assessment of existing rules and consideration of all initiatives that can really help farmers, including a well-functioning Single Market.”
The group said that with simplification among the priorities for the EU agenda, a competitive agri-food chain needs ‘practicable, evidence-based regulation that delivers to farmers and is sensitive to the implications for consumer prices and choice’. Read more here.
