(14 November 2016) – The Agricultural Markets Task Force (AMTF), chaired by former Dutch Minister for Agriculture and University Professor, Cees Veerman, today presented its report to EU Commissioner for Agriculture & Rural Development, Phil Hogan.
The establishment of the Task Force, made up of twelve independent experts, reflected increased concern regarding global developments in the food supply chain and, in particular, the position of the producer in that chain.
The Task Force’s report concludes that the policy framework governing the supply chain “can and should be further improved.” Among the other conclusions, the report calls for new rules at EU level to cover certain unfair trading practices, as well as the implementation of effective enforcement regimes in Member States such as through the use of an Adjudicator.
Other recommendations include increasing market transparency, enhancing cooperation among farmers, facilitating farmers’ access to finance and improving the take-up of risk management tools.