The EU consultation on Unfair Trading Practices (UTPs) closes this Friday 17 November. It has run for 12 weeks and is open to anyone to give their thoughts by completing the online questionnaire on europa.eu.

The consultation is split into three sections.

The first dealing with trading practices, the second addresses the issue of market transparency and the final section is on the issue of value sharing along the chain, as is the practice in the sugar industry.

Respondents are invited to reply to a series of questions, giving preferences on a scale with the option of providing a 1,500-word written piece on each category.

Additionally, respondents can include a five-page position document by way of their response.

The consultation was launched by European Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan following the report of an Agriculture Markets Taskforce in November last year.

As this issue crosses a number of Commission portfolios, particularly that of Commissioner for Competition Margrethe Vestager, a strong degree of collaboration will be necessary to give effect to any legislation in this area.

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