The National Farmers Union (NFU) was the latest organisation to call for a European equivalent to a GCA. However, FoodDrinkEurope said the voluntary Supply Chain Initiative (SCI) was the most appropriate way to maintain trading security across Europe.
NFU President Meurig Raymond called for a European equivalent to the GCA at a European Conservatives and Reformists seminar in Brussels, on September 28. Raymond said the introduction of the GCA-type body was crucial to give British farmers and food suppliers protection when they trade internationally.
Raymond said: “As well as strong regulation at a European level, we wish to see an independent enforcement office, such as the GCA, introduced.
‘Overzealous European regulation’
“I know there are many who fear that this will lead to overzealous European regulation, but implemented in a proper way, this will give producers the security and confidence they so badly need.”
The confidentiality of the GCA is crucial to food producers, Raymond added, as submitting evidence on unfair trading practices could be damaging for suppliers.
However, European manufacturers’ organisation FoodDrinkEurope said the SCI was the most appropriate tool for EU legislation. It said its initiative was designed to resolve disputes efficiently, and causes less conflict than going to court.
It also said EU Member States face different national situations, so a continental-wide, one-size-fits-all solution to Unfair Trading Practices (UTC) would not be an appropriate way forward.
‘Quick, efficient and less conflicting’
A FoodDrinkEurope spokesman said: “The SCI, a joint voluntary initiative, is in our view the most appropriate tool to deal with UTPs at a European level. It has been developed by and for companies across the whole food supply chain and encourages the resolution of disputes in a quick, efficient and less conflicting manner than courts of law.
“Together with our partners in the food chain, FoodDrinkEurope is fully involved in discussions on how to strengthen the SCI, in particular in view of enhancing trust in the governance, reinforcing the dispute resolution system and, finally, encouraging farmers to join.”
FoodDrinkEurope is currently discussing whether it should support calls for a European GCA.
Meanwhile, GCA Christine Tacon said she was “totally dependent” on food and drink producers telling her about unfair trading practices. In a FoodManufacture.co.uk exclusive video interview, Tacon stressed the importance of suppliers understanding the code to protect them, and be able to deal with retailers effectively.
What they say about a European GCA
- “As well as strong regulation at a European level we wish to see an independent enforcement office, such as the GCA introduced. I know there are many who fear that this will lead to overzealous European regulation – but implemented in a proper way this will give producers the security and confidence they so badly need. The purpose of this is to give suppliers the confidence to highlight unfair trading practices in a confidential way. This confidentiality is crucial as submitting evidence on unfair trading practices can be very damaging for a supplier, if this information is within the public domain.”
NFU president Meurig Raymond
- “The SCI, a joint voluntary initiative, is in our view the most appropriate tool to deal with UTPs at a European level. It has been developed by and for companies across the whole food supply chain and encourages the resolution of disputes in a quick, efficient and less conflicting manner than courts of law.”
FoodDrinkEurope