The Council of the European Union has formally adopted new legislation intended to improve the position of farmers within the food supply chain. The reform, put forward by the European Commission and negotiated with the European Parliament under the ordinary legislative procedure, responds to persistent concerns regarding farmers’ comparatively weak bargaining position vis-à-vis processors, retailers, and other downstream operators.

The adopted measures introduce targeted amendments to the regulation on the common market organisation of agricultural products, together with complementary changes to the common agricultural policy framework. In particular, the new rules establish written contracts as the standard, facilitate the recognition and functioning of producer organisations in order to strengthen collective action, and introduce harmonised provisions on voluntary marketing terms and product designations, including enhanced protection of the term “meat”.

Taken together, these measures are intended to promote greater transparency, fairer value distribution, and improved income stability for farmers, while supporting a more balanced and resilient agri-food sector. Following the Council’s formal adoption, the act will now proceed to signature and publication in the Official Journal of the European Union, after which it will enter into force. Some provisions, notably those relating to meat designations, will apply following a transitional period.

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