Deal on measures to reinforce farmers’ position in the food supply chain

Key Development

Co-legislators reached a provisional agreement to ensure final food prices reflect factors including the actual costs of production borne by farmers and to require member states to establish and publish online indicators as contractual benchmarks. The text strengthens producer organisations' role by enabling them to engage directly with buyers and limiting buyers' contact with individual producers, clarifies criteria for “fair” or “equitable” labels, defines meat as “edible parts of animals” excluding lab-grown products, and sets rules for using the term “short supply chain.”

Why It Matters

The measures are intended to bolster farmers' bargaining power and protect incomes by reinforcing collective organisation, reserving certain meat names for animal-derived products, and clarifying labelling to prevent misleading claims. The deal also includes support for the dairy sector through mandatory written contracts with opt-outs for price indicators and revision clauses to address the sector's challenging conditions.

Next Step

The provisional agreement must be approved by both Parliament and Council before the new rules can enter into force.