OpenLobby.EU
Explore

FruitVegetablesEUROPE

EUCOFEL

Founded more than 60 years ago, FruitVegetablesEUROPE (EUCOFEL) is the European Association representing the EU fruit and vegetables production and trade at European level.

Lobbying Activity

Response to Fruit and vegetables – review of sectorial rules and modernising certain market monitoring provisions and mechanisms

10 Jun 2025

The attached document sets out the comments of FRUITVEGETABLESEUROPE (EUCOFEL), European Association representing the EU Fruit and Vegetables production and trade at European level, to the public consultation revising the sectoral rules for the fruit and vegetables sector and amending Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/891 and Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/892 as regards certain rules on producer organisations, producer price reporting obligations, the application of certain import mechanisms in the fruit and vegetables sector, the calculation of flat-rate import values and additional import duties.
Read full response

Meeting with Mauro Poinelli (Head of Unit Agriculture and Rural Development) and AOP nationale tomates et concombres de France

21 Jan 2025 · Exchange of views on the situation of the EU tomato sector, impacts of tomato imports from Morocco and consequences of recent EU Court of Justice rulings on products originating in West Sahara

Response to Review of the requirements for packaging and feasibility of measures to prevent packaging waste

24 Apr 2023

FruitVegetablesEUROPE and its members are committed to achieve the EU's climate neutrality target by 2050, advocating that the new EU packaging law should maintain the competitiveness of the European agri-food market with science-based solutions and an economic and social impact assessment with real results for sustainability. We will continue to actively pursue the proposal on packaging and packaging waste through the European Parliament and the Council under the ordinary legislative procedure. (Continued in the attached document...)
Read full response

Response to Information and promotion measures for agricultural and food products in the internal market and in non-EU countries

9 Mar 2021

FruitVegetablesEUROPE (EUCOFEL) is the European private sectoral Association representing the European Fruit and Vegetables producers and exporters at the EU level. FruitVegetablesEUROPE’s members are national and regional Federations and Associations (mainly PO and APO) and companies from the main European producing countries (France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, Portugal, and Spain). FruitVegetablesEUROPE’s direct members account for more than 4,500 companies. FruitVegetablesEUROPE and its members are intensely committed and involved in the EU Promotion policy. As direct beneficiary, FruitVegetablesEUROPE welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the evaluation of the EU Promotion policy for agricultural and food products, which will assess refocusing to the EU agricultural promotion policy objectives and Streamlining the implementation model. FruitVegetablesEUROPE strongly believes that the EU promotion policy is an excellent instrument to enhance the competitiveness of the European Fruit and Vegetables sector. At the same time, the EU promotion policy boost the consumption of EU products in the EU and in third countries. Furthermore, promotion measures contribute to raising consumer awareness of the merits of the EU’s agricultural products and production methods, as well as the awareness and recognition of EU quality and organic farming schemes. FruitVegetablesEUROPE support the EU agricultural and food promotion policy. Nevertheless, as a proposing organisation and having a large experience in implementing EU multi programmes, we would like to contribute to the effectiveness, efficiency, coherence of this policy. Please find attached FruitVegetablesEUROPE's feedback.
Read full response

Response to Revision of EU marketing standards for agricultural products

16 Feb 2021

FruitVegetablesEUROPE (EUCOFEL) is the European private sectoral Association representing the European Fruit and Vegetables producers and exporters at the EU level. FruitVegetablesEUROPE's members are national and regional Federations and Associations (mainly PO and APO) and companies from the main European producing countries (France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, Portugal, and Spain). FruitVegetablesEUROPE's direct members account for more than 4,500 companies. FruitVegetablesEUROPE welcomes the opportunity to comment on the inception impact assessment of EU marketing standards (contained in the Common Market Organisation (CMO) regulation, the "breakfast directives" and CMO secondary legislation). We believe that EU marketing standards are essential to facilitate trade by setting common trading references, and they play an essential role in informing consumers on product characteristics and protecting them from fraud. Furthermore, the EU marketing standards assure the well-functioning of the EU internal market, guaranteeing high-quality production, improving the whole fruit and vegetable sector's competitiveness, and protecting the consumer interests for the high-quality products. Overall, FruitVegetablesEUROPE agrees with the conclusions of the 'Evaluation of Marketing Standards' published last year. The EU marketing standards have played a positive role supplying the European market with standardised and high-quality products. Additionally, EU marketing standards facilitate producers to sell their products in the EU market. Nevertheless, we would like to reiterate the negative effects for the sector of the simplification of marketing standards. The evaluation report does not conclude the effectiveness of the transition from product-specific standards to the general marketing standards for the fruit and vegetable sector. For this reason, we call for the fruit and vegetable sector to be taken into account when exploring the need for introducing new marketing standards. Concerning the objectives and policy options suggested by the European Commission, we subscribe to the need to revise the current marketing standards to address better the current challenges that the sector is facing. Introduce marketing standards for all fruit and vegetable products will provide high-quality consumer information as well as improve the effectiveness and efficiency of EU agricultural marketing standards. The European Fruit and Vegetables sector would be very pleased to discuss the importance of the European marketing standards with the European Commission at any time. Please find attached FruitVegetablesEUROPE's feedback on the inception impact assessment of EU marketing standards (contained in the Common Market Organisation (CMO) regulation, the "breakfast directives" and CMO secondary legislation).
Read full response

Response to Setting of nutrient profiles

2 Feb 2021

FruitVegetablesEUROPE (EUCOFEL) is the European private sectoral Association representing the European Fruit and Vegetables producers and exporters at the EU level. FruitVegetablesEUROPE's members are national and regional Federations and Associations (mainly PO and APO) and companies from the main European producing countries (France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, Portugal, and Spain. FruitVegetablesEUROPE's direct members account for more than 4,500 companies. FruitVegetablesEUROPE welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the revision of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers (FIC Regulation). The European food labelling framework needs to be harmonised both at the European member state level and for agri-food products. Under the current EU legal framework, each country follows its labelling system, and not all products are subject to the same rules, creating imbalances in the market. You will find our full feedback enclosed. We thank you in advance for taking them into consideration.
Read full response

Response to Contingency plan for ensuring food supply and food security

13 Jan 2021

FruitVegetablesEUROPE (EUCOFEL) is the European private sectoral Association representing the European Fruit and Vegetables producers and exporters at the EU level. FruitVegetablesEUROPE's members are national and regional Federations and Associations (mainly PO and APO) and companies from the main European producing countries (France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, Portugal, and Spain). FruitVegetablesEUROPE's direct members account for more than 4,500 companies. FruitVegetablesEUROPE welcomes the opportunity to contribute to ensuring food supply and food security in times of crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic showed the need to strengthen European cooperation among all the key stakeholders of the food supply chain. Safeguarding access to the consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables must be a priority for the European Commission, as they are the basis of a sustainable and healthy diet. The contingency plan is needed to avoid the confusion and chaos arising from a crisis; however, it should not be the cornerstone that supports the agricultural sector in crisis times. The EU Agri-food sector must be competitive and market-oriented. Therefore, this plan must complement a set of policies that will solve the sector's structural problems, which have been aggravated by the pandemic. Please find attached FruitVegetablesEUROPE's feedback to the EU initiative: EU food supply and food security – contingency plan.
Read full response

Response to Sustainable use of pesticides – revision of the EU rules

6 Aug 2020

FruitVegetablesEUROPE (EUCOFEL) is the European private sectoral Association representing the European Fruit and Vegetables producers and exporters at the EU level. FruitVegetablesEUROPE's members are national and regional Federations and Associations (mainly PO and APO) and companies from the main European producing countries (France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, Portugal, and Spain. FruitVegetablesEUROPE's direct members account for more than 4,500 companies. FruitVegetablesEUROPE welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the evaluation of the Directive 2009/128/EC, which establishes a framework for action to achieve the sustainable use of pesticides. Since its entry into force 11 years ago, European fruit and vegetable producers have improved the use of plant protection products (PPP) to reduce the risk and impacts of pesticides on human health and the environment. But the presence of pests, weeds, and disease does not go away. That is why the role of plant protection products is vital in ensuring food security and a sustainable food system. Without them, fruit and vegetable production would lose competitiveness and resilience. The safety of the food we eat, and which has been protected with plant protection products, is guaranteed thanks to the strict evaluation controls and the correct use that the farmer makes of them. European fruit and vegetable producers apply plant protection products when strictly necessary and following the indications on the product label and in the doses prescribed. Thanks to European farmers, Europe is today a world reference in fruit and vegetable production. To maintain this international reference position, it is vital to enhance production without compromising the environment. We must make available to farmers all the tools and innovative techniques that guarantee their competitiveness and fair income. Sustainability goes beyond the environmental sphere and also includes the economic and social sustainability of the agricultural sector. With this in mind, we want to give our stance concerning the following objectives proposed by the roadmap: • Legally binding targets • Coherence with other policies and legislation • Use of new technologies and alternative techniques FruitVegetablesEUROPE thinks that PPPs' substances must be treated under clear scientific criteria determined by impact assessments. These are the vectors that should guide the revision of the sustainable use of pesticides directive. FruitVegetablesEUROPE would like to see a revised directive that: 1. is based on scientific criteria and impact assessments. 2. improves the effectiveness and efficiency of pesticides. 3. is consistent with other EU sectoral policies. 4. includes a concept of sustainability based on environmental but also social and economic sustainability. 5. enhances the role of research and innovation. 6. will guarantee the EU's food security. FruitVegetablesEUROPE also calls on the European Commission to provide the tools, both financial and material, to establish the new agricultural model without leaving any farmers behind. When the necessary tools become available, we can discuss the new agricultural model. Otherwise, these policies are laying the foundations of the dependence on agri-food imports from third countries, which do not apply environmental and health legislation and standards, putting European food security at risk. The European Union cannot repeat in the agricultural sector the mistakes of the COVID-19 health crisis, which has exposed the lack of production capacity of essential material for its citizens. If we want to guarantee the EU's food security, we need a healthy fruit and vegetable sector that does not depend on imports from third countries. You will find enclosed FruitVegetablesEUROPE's feedback on the Revision of the sustainable use of pesticides Directive.
Read full response

Response to Farm to Fork Strategy

16 Mar 2020

FruitVegetablesEUROPE's feedback: Roadmap on the Sustainable food – 'farm to fork' strategy The European Fruit and Vegetables Association (FruitVegetablesEUROPE) welcomes the opportunity to comment on the European Commission’s roadmap on the Farm to Fork Strategy for Sustainable Food and appreciates the opportunity to provide comments and input ahead of its adoption. FruitVegetablesEUROPE (EUCOFEL) is the European private sectoral Association representing the European Fruit and Vegetables producers and exporters at the EU level. FruitVegetablesEUROPE's members are national and regional Federations and Associations (mainly PO and APO) and companies from the main European producing countries (France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, Portugal, and Spain). FruitVegetablesEUROPE's direct members account for more than 4,500 companies. FruitVegetablesEUROPE and its members are committed to the Farm to Fork (FTF) strategy. Protection of the environment and food safety are two main pillars of the sector. This is why, we have high expectations in fulfilling its goals and ensure the sustainability of the food chain. Nevertheless, we are concerned about the impacts it might have on the farmer's income and the competitiveness of the sector. FruitVegetablesEUROPE agrees that a sustainable food strategy is key to achieving the goals of the EU’s Green Deal. Furthermore, the FTF strategy needs to set out regulatory and non-regulatory actions to create more efficient, climate-smart systems that provide healthy food, while securing a decent living for EU farmers. FruitVegetablesEUROPE welcomes many of the initial ideas outlined in the Green Deal communication and the Farm to Fork roadmap. Nevertheless, we would like to contribute to these following areas: 1. Pesticides, fertilizers and endocrine disruptors 2. Circular Economy 3. Food Waste 4. Organic farming 5. Food Labelling 6. Coherence with other policies FruitVegetablesEUROPE looks forward to working closely with the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council to develop the best sustainable Farm to Fork strategy and remains at your disposal to discuss them in more detail. You will find our full feedback enclosed. We thank you in advance for taking them into consideration.
Read full response

Response to A new Circular Economy Action Plan

20 Jan 2020

FruitVegetablesEUROPE’s feedback: Roadmap on the New action plan to increase recycling and reuse of products in the EU (Circular economy) FruitVegetablesEUROPE (EUCOFEL) is the European private sectoral Association representing the European Fruit and Vegetables producers and exporters at the EU level. FruitVegetablesEUROPE’s members are national and regional Federations and Associations (mainly PO and APO) and companies from the main European producing countries (France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, Portugal and Spain. FruitVegetablesEUROPE’s direct members account for more than 4,500 companies. FruitVegetablesEUROPE welcomes the publication by the European Commission of a roadmap on the ‘New Circular Economy Action Plan’ and appreciates the opportunity to provide comments and input ahead of its adoption. FruitVegetablesEUROPE and its members are working on the Fruit and Vegetable crops challenges regarding the circular economy. Among the main challenges the sector tackled, we encourage to take action in these four areas: - Initiatives for producers to carry out self-management of organic waste. We are facing many problems due to administrative procedures, especially in the case of plant remains using composting and vermicomposting techniques. Administrative barriers prevent the self-management of organic waste in the short term. Consequently, the producer opts for a faster management route, such as the dump. The use of the landfill site represents an extra cost for the producer and an opportunity loss to make farms more sustainable. To encourage self-management of organic waste, these administrative procedures should be reduced. Moreover, it will be useful to create and distribute handbooks to guide producers on the best conditions for their safe implementation of organic waste. - Oil waste management. Farms with combustion equipment and vehicles produce waste oil. These oils must be delivered to the Integrated Waste Oil Management System (SIGAUS). However, the SIGAUS centres do not accept oils from self-maintenance. These points are private centres that only accept the delivery of waste oils from the maintenance work carried out by themselves, not from waste oils from farms. - Plastic waste management: Manufacturers, importers, intra-community purchasers, or those who place on the market plastics for use on farms should take responsibility for the correct management of the waste produced. To this end, waste should be managed through authorized management bodies, such as the integrated management systems. - Packaging of phytosanitary products and fertilizers. Phytosanitary product packaging with the SIGFITO logo (Fertilizer Packaging Collection System) must be managed through its integrated management system. However, packaging without this logo must be handed over to its distributor or an authorized manager. SIGFITO's scope of activity has been extended to agricultural packaging, so it can also manage the packaging of fertilizer products. However, some manufacturers and marketers are not members of SIGFITO and do not take responsibility for the waste produced. The proposal is to increase control over manufacturers and marketers of plant protection products to ensure that they take charge of management. For FruitVegetablesEUROPE, its members, and the European fruit and vegetables sector it is crucial to have an action plan which analyses the lifecycle of products and materials to ensure sustainable use of resources and tackle resource-intensive sectors. Therefore, FruitVegetablesEUROPE fully supports the roadmap for a new action plan to increase recycling and reuse of products in the EU.
Read full response

Response to Tariff quotas with licences

10 Aug 2019

FruitVegetablesEUROPE feedback on Food & feed imports - reduced tariffs (simplified rules) Tariff quotas in the sector of Garlic FruitVegetablesEUROPE (EUCOFEL), is the European private sectoral Association representing the European Fruit and Vegetables producers and exporters at EU level. FruitVegetablesEUROPE’s members are national and regional Federations and Associations (mainly PO and APO) and companies from the main European producing countries (France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, Portugal and Spain. FruitVegetablesEUROPE’s direct members account for more than 4,500 companies. FruitVegetablesEUROPE welcomes the opportunity to comment on the draft Implementing Regulation laying down rules for the application of Regulations (EU) No 1306/2013, (EU) No 1308/2013 and (EU) No 510/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the management system of Tariff quotas in the sector of garlic. The Tariff quotas system has a direct impact on the European Garlic producers and traders. For this reason, for more than two and a half years FruitVegetablesEUROPE have been providing inputs to the Commission, particularly the view of the EU garlic sector. We totally understand that the management of certain tariff quotas, particularly in the garlic sector, needed a renovation due to increasing problems with the enforcement of the principle that tariff quotas should contribute to a proper functioning of the internal market. Furthermore, we also agree that the aim of these new rules is to reduce administrative burden linked to enforcement and to strengthen market stability. Nevertheless, would like to formulate some comments and requests for further clarification regarding the tariff quotas in the sector of garlic. You will find encolsed FruitVegetablesEUROPE's feedback.
Read full response

Response to Establishing a list of priority pests

2 Jul 2019

FruitVegetablesEUROPE feedback on Plant health – proposed list of priority pests FruitVegetablesEUROPE (EUCOFEL), is the European private sectoral Association representing the European Fruit and Vegetables producers and exporters at EU level. FruitVegetablesEUROPE’s members are national and regional Federations and Associations (mainly PO and APO) and companies from the main European producing countries (France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, Portugal and Spain. FruitVegetablesEUROPE’s direct members account for more than 4,500 companies. We appreciate the possibility to comment on the draft Delegated Regulation establishing the list of priority pests. The European plant health legislation has a direct impact on the European Fruit and Vegetables producers. In agreement with Article 6(2) of the Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 on protective measures against pests of plants, the European Commission has been tasked by the Council and European Parliament to establish a list of Union quarantine pests which qualify as priority pests. The prioritisation is based on the severity of the economic, social and environmental impact that these pests can cause in the Union territory. Pursuant to Article 31 of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002, the Directorate-General of Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE) of the European Commission requested EFSA for technical assistance in the field of plant health as regards a list of regulated harmful organisms qualifying as priority pests under Regulation (EU) 2016/2031. In this context, EFSA elaborated a Report on the methodology applied by EFSA to provide a quantitative assessment of pest‐related criteria required to rank candidate priority pests as defined by Regulation (EU) 2016/2031) providing technical and scientific data related to 28 candidate priority pests, in particular: (i) the potential host range and distribution of each of these pests in the Union territory at the level of NUTS2 regions; (ii) parameters quantifying the potential consequences of these pests, e.g. crop losses in terms of yield and quality, rate of spread and time to detection. This list of 28 candidate priority pests was previously communicated by the Commission to EFSA. Nevertheless, in the draft Delegated Regulation establishing the list of priority pests, only 19 pests are listed. FruitVegetablesEUROPE would like to express its deep concerns, regarding the reduced number of pests included in the draft list. We would like to point out that dangerous pests, like Phyllosticta citricarpa (CBS), are not included in the draft list. The introduction and spread of pest like Phyllosticta citricarpa into the EU territory would have terrible consequences for the EU agriculture, particularly for the EU citrus fruit sector. The interceptions of this harmful organism in the ports of the European Union have skyrocketed in recent years, reaching 53 detections in 2018. Countries like South Africa, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Tunisia are increasing their citrus exports to the EU and with them also the risk to introduce new pests and diseases that put in risk the citrus production in the European Union. The EU citrus sector is mainly producing for the fresh market, so the introduction of Phyllosticta citricarpa into the EU territory would cause a loss of quality and consequently a loss of production since these productions would not be marketable. We emphasize that this comparison of "quality" and "production" losses has been taken into account for two other harmful organisms that do appear in the Commission proposal (Conotrachelus nenuphar and Anthonomus eugenii). In our view, it is crucial to protect the European production from foreign pests and diseases. The European commission must adopt all necessary measures to ensure a high level of protection in the EU territory. FruitVegetablesEUROPE demands the European Commission to include Phyllosticta citricarpa in the list of priority pests.
Read full response

Response to Listing high risk plants & plants for which a phytosanitary certificate is not required for introduction into the Union

14 Aug 2018

EUCOFEL, the European Fruit and Vegetables Trade Association, representing the European Fruit and Vegetables sector (producers, exporters and traders) welcomes the opportunity to contribute to this DRAFT Commission Implementing Regulation establishing a provisional list of high risk plants, plant products or other objects, within the meaning of Article 42 of Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 and a list of plants for which phytosanitary certificates are not required for introduction into the Union, within the meaning of Article 73 of that Regulation. Nevertheless, EUCOFEL would like to express its deep concern on this DRAFT Commission Implementing Regulation. The DRAFT affects article 42(1) of Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 by introducing a category labelled “high risk plants” under which it is forbidden to import certain productions and plant materials until proven through risk analysis that the countries that export them can guarantee their plant health. This category includes some ornamental plants but excludes CITRUS FRUITS, PEPPERS, BITTER CUCUMBERS, MANGOES, GUAVA, APPLES, PEARS, CHERRIES, PEACHES, PLUMS, GRAPES AND BLUEBERRIES which were all explicitly requested to be included by 8 Member States (Austria, Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal and Spain) and the sector. The introduction of harmful organisms into the EU territories would entail direct economic, social and environmental impact. A well-known examples, being the case of the invasion and rapid spread of the Drosophila suzukii and the Xylella fastidiosa, currently demanding additional expenses and effort to protect EU produce and safeguard EU exports. The unacceptably high number of interceptions of fruit and vegetables coming from third countries just proves that the measures provided for by Commission Implementing Directive (EU) 2017/1279 of 14 July 2017 amending Annexes I to V to Council Directive 2000/29/EC on protective measures against the introduction into the Community of organisms harmful to plants or plant products and against their spread within the Community, are clearly insufficient to prevent the introduction into and spread within the Union of this harmful organism. In this respect, the emergency control measures taken by the EU should be further aligned with this implementing regulation. Specially, in relation to Xanthomonas citri and Thaumatotibia leucotreta which are not regulated. “EUCOFEL requests the maximum protection level on fruit and vegetables coming from third countries, and calls upon the European Commission to take the necessary measures to prevent the introduction of harmful organisms into the EU by including CITRUS FRUITS, PEPPERS, BITTER CUCUMBERS, MANGOES, GUAVA, APPLES, PEARS, CHERRIES, PEACHES, PLUMS, GRAPES AND BLUEBERRIES in the list of high risk plants, plant products or other objects. Preserving the health of EU productions from pests that a plant, plant product or other object originating from a third country might introduce in the Union and ensuring a competitive agricultural sector should be a priority for the European Commission.” You will find EUCOFEL's full contribution to the Draft Commission Implementing Regulation in the document enclosed.
Read full response

Meeting with Jerzy Bogdan Plewa (Director-General Agriculture and Rural Development)

5 Dec 2017 · Exchange of views

Meeting with Cristina Rueda Catry (Cabinet of Commissioner Phil Hogan)

11 Sept 2017 · Issues inherent to the sector

Response to Initiative to improve the Food Supply Chain

22 Aug 2017

EUCOFEL, the European Fruit and Vegetables Trade Association, greatly appreciates all the initiatives and actions taken by the Commission towards a better functioning food supply chain (FSC) and would like to share its views on the proposals made in the Inception Impact Assessment relating to the “Initiative to improve the Food Supply Chain”. Unfair Trading Practices (UTPs): support for option 3 EUCOFEL supports the introduction of an EU framework legislation to protect weaker operators in the food supply chain. Experience has shown that purely voluntary schemes, both at national and EU level, have not been sufficient to tackle UTPs and improve the functioning of the FSC. A legally binding regulatory approach is needed to address this crucial issue. Although protection against UTPs has greatly improved in the EU member states, the lack of a harmonised approach at EU level has resulted not only in a fragmented legal landscape with multiple voluntary schemes, national codes of good commercial practice, and regulatory approaches, but also in an increasingly fragmented EU Internal Market. FSC operators are currently exposed to very disparate market conditions in the different Member States, which directly affect cross border trade. Furthermore, EUCOFEL would like to underline that, in order to achieve a level playing field in international trade, the EU framework legislation would need to cover all supply chains ending in the EU. Provisions relating to the food supply chain (including provisions on late payment) are not applicable for third country operators. For instance, the Union Customs Code allows for sales in consignment (deferred price and payment). Introducing an EU framework legislation without imposing the same obligations to the chain links in third countries could render import trade even more attractive for certain operators, and would most probably result in distortion of trade. Producer cooperation – value sharing agreements: support for option 2 EUCOFEL acknowledges the importance of increasing producer cooperation to strengthen the position of farmers in the FSC and supports the review of the effectiveness and clarity of producer cooperation rules under EU agricultural and competition law in the context of the ongoing discussions on the CAP-2020. EUCOFEL believes that certain measures from the Single CMO can be further encouraged to increase producer cooperation, and agrees that further clarity is needed concerning the rules that apply to collective action by producers. Regarding the policy option of extending the value sharing agreement mechanism to all other agricultural sectors, EUCOFEL considers that the market structure and the implementation of such a measure should be analysed in depth for every agricultural sector, particularly for a highly perishable sector such as the fruit and vegetable one. Market transparency: support for option 2 EUCOFEL agrees that increased market transparency could strengthen farmers’ bargaining power and help them take well-informed decisions concerning production. Even though the market observatories and dashboards in place are increasingly helpful for producers (and the sector would welcome such tools for other products), EUCOFEL believes that the sector could greatly benefit from more transparency at other levels of the FSC. It should be highlighted that market transparency should cover all FSCs ending in EU countries, and should therefore include information regarding the chain links in third countries. Also, reporting obligations should not impose a burden on businesses, particularly on producers. Furthermore, whilst transparency should increase, sensitive commercial information should be protected and competition rules duly respected.
Read full response