Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan has taken delivery of the report by the task force he set up in January to examine unfair trading practices in the supply chain.

At the outset there was scepticism that they would come up with anything worthwhile but leaks last week from Brussels created the expectation of some radical thinking. This was confirmed when the report was published on Monday and presented to the council of farm ministers on Tuesday.

The key items are the recommendation for legislation on unfair trading practices by large retailers and introduction of more transparency in the processing sector.

The report has hurdles to clear before it becomes practice, not least of which it will be a different commissioner with responsibility to take it forward, who may be less enthusiastic. It also doesn’t address the issue of farmgate prices beyond saying that organisations should be able to negotiate on behalf of members without violating competition law. However, if adopted, it will mark a welcome change of direction by the EU on unfair trading practices.

EU set to legislate on unfair trading practices

Unfair trading practices now on EU agenda

Report by Commissoner Hogan's task force is recommending legislation on unfair trading practices by large retailers and introduction of greater transparency in the processing sector.