EU Holds High Level Forum for Food Supply Chain

The EU High Level Forum for a Better Functioning Food Supply Chain recently
held its first meeting in Brussels, Belgium, where it reportedly discussed
a work plan “to boost competitiveness and to promote best contractual
practices in the European food sector.” Led by Internal Market and Services
Commissioner Michel Barnier, Health and Consumer Policy Commissioner
John Dalli, and Agricultural and Rural Development Commissioner Dacian
Cioloş, the initiative involves 45 representatives from member states,
companies “dealing with food production, processing or distribution,” and
nongovernmental public interest groups.

These participants are charged with following the recommendations of the
High Level Group on the Competitiveness of the Agro-Food Industry and
implementing the European Commission’s communication titled “A better
functioning food supply chain in Europe” (COM (2009) 591). The forum will
also feature several expert platforms focused on (i) “business to business
contractual practices in the food supply chain,” (ii) “food price monitoring,” (iii)
“competitiveness in the agro-food industry,” and (iv) “agro-logistics.” Expected
to convene annually, the forum will conclude on December 31, 2012, when it
will approve its final report. See Europa Press Release, November 16, 2010.