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REPORT (COM(2024)0577 – C100209/2024 – 2024/0319(COD))

On the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulations (EU) No 1308/2013, (EU) 2021/2115 and (EU) 2021/2116 as regards the strengthening of the position of farmers in the food supply chain

A-10-2025-0161

Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development · Rapporteur: Céline Imart

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Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.

Parliament's amended version of the proposed regulation strengthens farmers' position in the food supply chain by amending rules on contracts, producer organisations, and market measures. It tightens conditions for using terms like 'fair' and 'short supply chain', requires written contracts for most agricultural deliveries, and extends negotiation rights for producer organisations. It also adds new sectors (vinegar, hemp), sets import conditions, and introduces market disturbance plans and crisis support measures.

Committee position. The Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development proposes to amend the Commission proposal to strengthen farmers' position, with changes to contract rules, producer organisations, and market measures.

Key points

  1. Terms 'fair', 'equitable' or equivalent may be used only with prior consent of farmers or their representative organisations, and must meet conditions including stability, transparency, and equitable pricing.
  2. Term 'short supply chain' requires prior farmer consent and applies to products produced and placed on the single market, with direct connection or limited intermediaries, and geographic proximity measured by distance or time.
  3. Written contracts are required for deliveries of agricultural products by producers not covered by paragraph 1 to first purchasers, with exceptions for small values (up to EUR 4 000) and micro or small enterprises.
  4. Contracts must include price calculated with objective, verifiable factors reflecting market conditions, inflation, full production costs, and farmer remuneration; revision clauses are required for contracts over six months (12 for future markets).
  5. Member States must establish voluntary mediation mechanisms for contract disputes and may require registration of contracts, except for seasonal and perishable products.
  6. Producer organisations may negotiate contracts for members, including non-recognised ones that have applied for recognition within five years; associations of producer organisations may negotiate except in fruit and vegetables unless requested.
  7. Producer organisation statutes must ensure concentration of supply; direct contacts with purchasers are restricted, and purchasers circumventing organisations face prohibition as unfair practice.
  8. Sustainability agreements under Article 210a may include objectives like supporting small family farms, promoting local production, and ensuring fair income covering production costs.
  9. In severe market imbalances, collective actions may receive Union support from the agricultural reserve, with feasibility assessment and without compromising direct payments.
  10. Commission must draw up market disturbance prevention and management plans, and may implement voluntary delivery reduction schemes when prices fall below thresholds set by AFCO.
  11. Imports of food and feed must comply with EU pesticide residue limits; hemp imports require proof of THC levels; vinegar sector is added to the regulation.

Who is affected

  • Farmers, producer organisations, and associations of producer organisations gain stronger bargaining power and contract rights.
  • Purchasers, processors, distributors, and retailers face new obligations for written contracts and prohibitions on circumventing producer organisations.
  • Member States must establish mediation mechanisms and may set contract registration requirements.
  • Importers of agricultural products must meet EU standards on pesticide residues and hemp THC levels.

Figures and deadlines

  • EUR 4 000 threshold for exempting deliveries from written contract requirement.
  • 33% of national production or 5% of Union production limit for associations of producer organisations.
  • 6% of direct payment allocations may be used for other sectors' interventions.
  • 50% limit increased to 70% for young farmers' investments.
  • 5 working days for simultaneous delivery and payment exemption.
  • 100 000 EUR standard output for small family farms.

Legal basis: Article 294(2), Article 42, first subparagraph, and Article 43(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union