MEPs support unfair trading practices report

Ulster Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson has welcomed the adoption of a report which calls for action to tackle unfair trading practices and increase fairness for farmers and producers in the food supply chain.
By The Newsroom
Published 12th Jun 2016, 07:45 BST
Updated 13th Jun 2016, 13:09 BST
Jim NicholsonJim Nicholson
Jim Nicholson

The report, drafted by Polish MEP Edward Czesak, was endorsed in a vote in the European Parliament in Strasbourg this week.

Mr Nicholson said: “Tackling the imbalance of power between producers and the large retailers has long been the elephant in the room. It is vital that farmers and growers not only receive a fair return for their produce but that they are also protected from unfair trading practices within the food supply chain.

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“Examples of unfair trading practices include late payments and retrospective changes to contracts. Something which I also believe needs to be addressed is the issue of own brand products due to the downward pressure they exert on prices with producers taking the hit.”

The so-called ‘own initiative’ report makes a number of key recommendations. These aim to make the supply chain fairer for farmers and was endorsed by 600 MEPs, with 48 voting against and 24 abstentions.

He concluded: “Producers are the foundation of the entire food supply chain and I welcome that this particular report has been strongly endorsed by MEPs especially given the difficulties being experienced by all sectors of the agricultural industry at this time.”