European Commission has published its first report on application of competition rules in agricultural sector to protect farmers from anti-competitive behavior and ensure that they benefit from a fully open internal market. 

The Report provides key insights into valuable work that EC have been doing in agricultural sector to help farmers to obtain better conditions when selling their products to large buyers or cooperatives.

One of the key findings of the report was that European competition authorities have investigated and stopped a number of collective agreements, where farmers in Member States attempt to hinder sales by farmers from other Member States.

Also, that the Competition Authorities have provided guidance to farmers, other operators and governments on how to interpret and apply competition law in the sector, such as on sustainability initiatives or publication of prices by sector organisations. They have proactively monitored situation in the sector and conducted inquiries into functioning of supply chain, focusing on transmission of prices and creation of balance of bargaining power between farmers and other levels of chain.

It has also stated that recognised producer and inter-branch organisations can help strengthen farmers' position and can contribute to a more efficient food supply chain.

For more: https://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/sites/agriculture/files/producer-interbranch-organisations/exemptions/report-comp-rules-agri-sector_com2018-706-final_en.pdf