The Council of the European Union is scheduled to formally adopt a regulation amending three existing EU farm laws to strengthen farmers' bargaining power in the food supply chain, after the European Parliament approved its first-reading position on 16 June 2026. The Council's Permanent Representatives Committee is asked to confirm agreement and recommend that the Council approve Parliament's position as an 'A' item, with Latvia and the Netherlands voting against, and Denmark and Estonia abstaining.
The regulation, based on a European Commission proposal submitted on 10 December 2024 under TFEU Articles 42 and 43(2), amends Regulations (EU) No 1308/2013 (the Common Market Organisation), (EU) 2021/2115 (the Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plans), and (EU) 2021/2116 (financing, management and monitoring of the CAP). The European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions delivered their opinions during the legislative process.
The adopted text aims to improve farmers' position in the food supply chain by strengthening rules on unfair trading practices, enhancing transparency, and enabling producer organisations to negotiate collectively. The regulation is expected to benefit farmers by giving them more leverage against larger buyers such as processors and retailers, potentially leading to fairer prices. However, it may impose new compliance costs on food businesses and distributors, who will need to adjust contractual practices. National authorities will face additional enforcement responsibilities, while consumers could see limited price effects if cost savings are passed on.
Following Council approval, the act will be signed by the Presidents of the European Parliament and the Council and published in the Official Journal of the European Union, entering into force 20 days later.