Report unfair trading practices in the agri-food sector

FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN

Some major operators in the agricultural and food supply chain, who have significant bargaining power over their suppliers, could be tempted to abuse their position to impose unfair trading practices.

The law therefore protects farmers and small operators from their most powerful buyers by prohibiting certain practices deemed unfair within the agri-food supply chain.

Who is concerned?

Any agricultural producer, natural or legal person, producers' organisation, suppliers' organisation or association of such organisations that sells agricultural and food products may report unfair practices by their buyers to the Authority.

Other organisations with a legitimate interest in representing suppliers may lodge complaints at the request of a supplier and in his or her interest, provided that these organisations are independent, nonprofit legal entities.

What can be reported to the Authority?

The complainant may report any unfair trading practice in the agri-food supply chain that appears:

  • either on the blacklist of the 10 specific trading practices prohibited in all circumstances;
  • or on the grey list of the 6 practices that are, in principle, prohibited unless they have been agreed in advance in clear and unambiguous terms.

How do I lodge a complaint?

Any supplier in the agri-food sector who considers themselves to be the victim of a prohibited unfair trading practice, or their representatives, may lodge a complaint with the Competition Authority. In order to do so, they must:

Form
Complaints - unfair trading practices in the food supply chain (Pdf, 337 Kb)

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