MEPs want new legislation to fight bullying retailers

New measures in a European Parliament report include a European ombudsman to root out bully-boy tactics, a 30 day limit for buyers to pay producers for their produce and more secure contracts to give producers protection against larger coorporations.

The parliament’s Agriculture Committee gave its overwhelming support to the report which is in response to a European Commission communication on reforms needed to improve farmers’ returns and consumer price transparency.

MEPs told the Commission to legislate against ‘dominant market positions’ and to ‘name and shame’ companies engaging in unfair practices.

Jim Nicholson, MEP for the Ulster Unionist Party of Northern Ireland, said farmers were desperate to earn a decent living.

Although the report was not legislative in itself - Mr Nicholson described it as ‘a wish list’ - he said it could influence the way the Commission tackled legislation in the future.  

“Something has to be done to make sure farmers get a fair and adequate return for their labour,” he said.

“Everybody needs to make a profit so that is where we need to work towards. There is no such think as cheap food – there is good food and good food costs money to produce,” he added.  

Mr Nicholson commended the committee report to the Commission although he disagreed with its call for a Europe-wide ombudsman to patrol the supply chain, arguing instead for every member state to have a national ombudsman.

He also balked at suggestions that top European processors, wholesalers and retailers should have to report their market shares on key food items annually to allow all market players to estimate demand and supply trends.

Watch Andrea Mott’s interview with Jim Nicholson:

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