On 24 June 2026, the Council of the European Union is scheduled to adopt a regulation aimed at strengthening the position of farmers in the food supply chain, approving the European Parliament's first-reading position (PE-CONS 21/26). The legislative act amends Regulations (EU) No 1308/2013, (EU) 2021/2115 and (EU) 2021/2116, and is intended to rebalance bargaining power in the agri-food sector. Three Member States—Latvia, Netherlands, and Sweden—are expected to vote against the text, while Denmark and Estonia have indicated they will abstain.
The regulation originates from a European Commission proposal submitted on 10 December 2024, based on Articles 42 and 43(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. Following opinions from the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, the European Parliament adopted its first-reading position on 16 June 2026. The Permanent Representatives Committee must confirm the agreement before the Council formally approves the act as an 'A' item, meaning it will be adopted without debate. After 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.
The new rules aim to enhance farmers' bargaining power by strengthening contractual relationships, improving transparency, and addressing unfair trading practices. For farmers, the regulation is expected to provide more leverage in negotiations with processors and retailers, potentially leading to fairer prices. However, some Member States and industry stakeholders have raised concerns about increased administrative burdens and potential market distortions. The opposing Member States—Latvia, Netherlands, and Sweden—have not publicly detailed their objections, but their votes signal reservations about the proportionality or effectiveness of the measures. The abstentions from Denmark and Estonia suggest similar concerns without outright rejection.
For food processors and retailers, the regulation may impose new contractual obligations and limit certain practices, potentially increasing compliance costs. Consumers could see indirect effects on prices if supply-chain adjustments are passed on. The European Commission will be responsible for monitoring implementation and may propose further measures if needed. The regulation is part of a broader EU effort to address imbalances in the agri-food sector, following earlier initiatives such as the Farm to Fork Strategy and the Directive on Unfair Trading Practices.