For several years, France has had a legal framework for food prices and production agreements designed to curb the power of supermarkets and to guarantee farmers a fair income. The Flemish Greens want to introduce this approach in Belgium as well.
Under President Macron, the Egalim laws were introduced in 2018. These laws stipulate, among other things, that buyers must cover at least the farmer’s production costs. Furthermore, the resale of agricultural products at a loss (“price dumping”) in France is subject to strict regulation to prevent price wars between supermarkets.
Minister Bourns indicated that he wants to explore the possibilities of such a framework. He will consult with various stakeholders, including farmers’ organizations and supermarkets. Bourns acknowledged the problems many farmers face and emphasized the importance of fair compensation for their work.
The proposal from Groen (the Greens) enjoys broad support from several political parties. The Flemish governing party CD&V is also open to certain ideas from the French model. The discussion about fair prices for farmers is not new in Belgium. Over the past years, there have been various farmers’ protests where farmers expressed their dissatisfaction with the low prices they receive for their products.
In other EU countries, there are also frequent calls for supply chain agreements within food production to ensure that the prices farmers receive for their agricultural products are not solely determined by agreements between commodity traders and large supermarket chains.
The Groen proposal to follow the French model is seen as a possible solution to these problems. By introducing a legal framework for food prices and production agreements, it may be possible to restore the power balance in the food chain and offer farmers a fairer income.
Voices are also rising in the regional parliament of Wallonia to follow France’s example. The Francophone socialists have prepared a bill aimed at giving farmers more control over the prices they get for their products.
The PS party is requesting expedited treatment so debates can begin after the spring break. The timing is tight in any case, as the parliament will be dissolved ahead of the June 9 elections.