What changed between the plenary report and the adopted text

Changed:Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 6 c (new), Article 189 – paragraph 1: (6c) in Article 189, paragraph 1 is replaced by the following: / “1. The following products may be imported into the Union only if the following conditions are met: / (a) raw true hemp falling within CN code 5302 10 00 meeting the conditions laid down in Regulation (EU) 2021/2115; / (b) seeds of varieties of hemp falling within CN code ex 1207 99 20 for sowing accompanied by proof that the tetrahydrocannabinol level of the variety concerned does not exceed that fixed in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 2021/2115; / (c) hemp seeds other than for sowing, falling within CN code 1207 99 91 and imported only by importers authorised by the Member State in order to ensure that such seeds are not intended for sowing; / (d)(ca) hemp flowering tops accompanied by proof that the tetrahydrocannabinol level of the variety concerned does not exceed the level set in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 2021/2115 and imported only by importers authorised by the Member State.”

Changed:Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 7 – point b, Article 210a – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 2: From [entry into force +2 years], producers as referred to in paragraph 1 may request an opinion from the Commission concerning the compatibility of agreements, decisions and concerted practices as referred to in paragraph 1 with regard to the implementation of sustainability standards aiming to contribute to one or more of the objectives laid down in paragraph 3, points (d), (e) , (f), (fa), (fb), (fc)(d) andto (fd), with this Article.

Removed:Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 7 a (new), Article 219 – paragraph 3 a (new): (7a) in Article 219, the following paragraph is inserted: / ‘3a. Where the market price falls below a certain flexible threshold that is indexed to average production costs and set by the EU Agri-food Chain Observatory (AFCO), the Commission shall implement, on the basis of the situation in the market and sector in question, support measures for producers in the sector concerned who, over a specified period, voluntarily reduce their deliveries compared to the same period in the previous year, fulfilling the following requirements:. / (a) the support shall be granted on the basis of applications submitted by producers in their Member State of establishment, using the method established by the Member State in question; / (b) in order to ensure that this system is effectively and properly implemented, the Commission shall establish, on the basis of data provided by AFCO: / (i) the maximum total volume or quantity of deliveries to be reduced at Union level under the reduction scheme; / (ii) the duration of the reduction period and, if necessary, its prolongation; / (iii) the amount of support, based on the volume or quantity of the reduction and the arrangements for its financing; / (iv) the eligibility criteria applicable to applicants and applications; / (v) the specific conditions for implementing the system. / Any producer who delivers a larger volume than the volume they have supplied during the reference period shall pay a market responsibility levy proportionate to their p…

Added:Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 7 a (new), Article 210 b (new): (7a) the following article is inserted: / “Article 210b / Member States shall ensure that supply contracts awarded under public procurement procedures are sourced from agricultural and food products originating in the Union, in particular with local and seasonal products, with the aim of enhancing the quality, sustainability and food safety of European agricultural products. / Products benefiting from protected geographical indications, protected designations of origin and traditional specialities guaranteed shall be given priority in the implementation of these actions. / The Commission shall adopt delegated acts, laying down the conditions for the application of this Article, ensuring compliance with Union rules.”

Added:Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 7 b (new), Article 219 – paragraph 3 a (new): (7b) in Article 219, the following paragraph is added: / ‘3a. Where the market price falls below a certain flexible threshold that is indexed to average production costs and set by the EU Agri-food Chain Observatory (AFCO), the Commission shall implement, on the basis of the situation in the market and sector in question, support measures for producers in the sector concerned who, over a specified period, voluntarily reduce their deliveries compared to the same period in the previous year, fulfilling the following requirements: / (a) the support shall be granted on the basis of applications submitted by producers in their Member State of establishment, using the method established by the Member State in question; / (b) in order to ensure that this system is effectively and properly implemented, the Commission shall establish, on the basis of data provided by AFCO: / (i) the maximum total volume or quantity of deliveries to be reduced at Union level under the reduction scheme; / (ii) the duration of the reduction period and, if necessary, its prolongation; / (iii) the amount of support, based on the volume or quantity of the reduction and the arrangements for its financing; / (iv) the eligibility criteria applicable to applicants and applications; / (v) the specific conditions for implementing the system. / Any producer who delivers a larger volume than the volume they have supplied during the reference period shall pay a market responsibility levy proportionate to their produ…

Added:Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013

Removed:Strengthening farmers’ position in the agri-food value chain is still one of farmers’ main demands following the protests in Europe in early 2024. Faced with a highly fragmented farming sector, while actors downstream are grouped into powerful structures, farmers find themselves in a weaker position of power and have very limited bargaining power.

Removed:In light of that asymmetry, balanced power relations in the value chain must be restored. The proposed reform of Regulations (EU) No 1308/2013, (EU) 2021/2115 and (EU) 2021/2116 by the European Commission achieves that to some extent by introducing a number of mechanisms designed to put producers in a stronger position.

Removed:Among the planned developments, the amendment of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 introduces the possibility of using new terms like ‘fair’ and ‘equitable’. While that approach is a step in the right direction, since it allows farmers to use marketing tools to add value to their products, the current definitions of those terms are too vague. There is a risk that more demanding national systems will be made weaker. The criteria for how those terms are used should therefore be made clearer.

Removed:A number of elements could also be introduced to improve the definition of the term ‘short supply chain’. Firstly, the direct connection between producer and consumer should at least involve European production in order to prevent products imported from third countries from bypassing the scheme. Secondly, the number of intermediaries should be limited and geographic proximity should be specified to include distances or transport time as criteria.

Removed:Contracting is one of the cornerstones of the European Commission’s proposal. It is essential in the milk sector, where it enables more transparently regulated trade relations in a market where farmers have to deal with considerable price fluctuations. The principle of contracting must also be supported in other farming sectors, while providing the possibility for derogation if a Member State’s farming sector so requests. Derogation does not affect the possibility granted to farmers, producer organisations (POs) and associations of producer organisations (APOs) to request that a contract be drawn up. That derogation could not be applied to the milk sector. The sugar sector should also be able to continue to enjoy some of its own specific characteristics.

Removed:In a number of sectors, the need to be able to set up POs, depending on the product’s final destination, is necessary to ensure certain sectors are strengthened with regard to first purchasers. At the same time, the Commission’s proposal to introduce specific POs for organic production does not seem suitable, because it could pit production models against each other.

Removed:The Commission’s intention to grant producer organisations that have not been recognised possible derogations from competition law is a measure designed to simplify and safeguard many existing practices. However, the system should be regulated to benefit non-recognised producer organisations by starting a recognition process. The possibility of derogations from Article 101 TFEU rules for associations of producer organisations if they do not carry out a real economic activity is also a step forward. However, simply taking account of national production could act as a brake in certain sectors, and an alternative threshold of no more than 5 % of European production for ‘managing’ associations of producer organisations should be introduced.

Removed:With regard to competition law and the derogations provided for in Article 210a, the concept of ‘sustainability’ should be defined in more detail in order to assess the three following aspects of sustainable development: economic, social and environmental. In particular, it is proposed that objectives be added with regard to farms’ economic resilience, fair remuneration for producers and the preservation of rural areas.

Changed:Recital 5: (5) In light of market conditions, evolving consumer expectations, advances both in marketing standards and in relevant international standards, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union should be delegated to the Commission in respect of the use of the optional terms designating commercial modalities related to the fair allocation of value added to farmers and the creation and maintenance of short supply chains. It is of particular importance that the Commission carry out appropriate consultations during its preparatory work, including at expert level, and that those consultations be conducted in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement of 13 April 2016 on Better Law-Making5a .Law-Making5a. In particular, to ensure equal participation in the preparation of delegated acts, the European Parliament and the Council receive all documents at the same time as Member States' experts, and their experts systematically have access to meetings of Commission expert groups dealing with the preparation of delegated acts..acts. / 5a OJ L 123, 12.5.2016, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/agree_interinstit/2016/512/oj. / (deleted)

Changed:Recital 17: (17) The required use of written contracts for the delivery of agricultural products and the basic conditions for their use should be laid down at Union level, while ensuring that the right of the parties to negotiate all elements of their contracts is not restricted beyond what is strictly necessary. However, Member States should not be prevented from taking stricter measures to combat unfair trading practices within the agricultural and food supply chain, provided that those measures are appropriate and proportionate to their objectives ,objectives, and are compatible with Directive (EU) 2019/633. Simplification of the contracting process, notably by means of standardised and digitalised templates and formats that can be sent by email, is key in order to ensure effective and fair application of these rules, especially in the case of small producers, while sufficient flexibility should be ensured to properly account for the diversity of the farming sector.

Changed:Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2, Article 148 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1–1 – point a: a) the delivery of milk and milk products by producers that are not covered by paragraph 1 shall be covered by a written contract;

Changed:Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 a (new), Article 149 – paragraph 2 – point c – points i and ii: (2a) In Article 149(2), point (c) is amended as follows: / (a) point (i) is replaced by the following: / (i)“(i) the volume of raw milk covered by such negotiations does not exceed 10 % of total Union production,production,” / (b) point (ii) is deleted.’deleted.

Changed:Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point a – point i, Article 152 – paragraph 1 – point a: (a) are constituted by producers in one or several sectors listed in Article 1(2), and are controlled by farmer members, or, in the case of the fruit and vegetables sector, producersproducers, in accordance with Article 153(2), point (c);

Changed:Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 4 – point -a a (new), Article 153 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new): (-aa) in paragraph 1, the following point is added: / ‘(ca) refrain from any direct contact with purchasers where those individual steps are likely to compromise the collective objectives pursued by the producer organisation, in particular as regards planning, negotiation or placing on the market. Any practice by a purchaser that aims to, or has the effect of, circumventing a producer organisation by directly approaching one or more of its members, where the purchaser is already engaged in negotiations or in a contract with that producer organisation, shall be prohibited and shall be regarded as an unfair commercial practice.’;practice.’

Changed:Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 6 a (new), Article 172 b:172b: (6a) Article 172b shall be replaced by the following: / ‘Article 172b / Price guidance by interbranch organisations and groups of producer organisations recognised in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2024/1143 for the sale of grapes, musts and wines in bulk for wines with a protected designation of origin or protected geographical indication / By way of derogation from Article 101(1) TFEU, interbranch organisations recognised under Article 157 of this Regulation and producer groups recognised under Regulation (EU) No 2024/1143 operating in the wine sector may provide non-mandatory price guidance indicators concerning the sale of grapes, musts and wines in bulk used for the production of wines with a protected designation of origin or protected geographical indication, provided that such guidance does not eliminate competition in respect of a substantial part of the products in question.’

Changed:Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 8, Article 222 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point g: (g) temporary planning of production taking into account the specific nature of the production cycle, in particular of perishable products;products.

Changed:Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 8, Article 222 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2: Where the Commission adopts implementing acts in accordance with the first subparagraph of this Article, it may decide to make Union support from the agricultural reserve referred to in Article 16 of Regulation (EU) 2021/2116 available to the Member States concerned, with hethe possibility for that support to be mobilised immediately in the event of a crisis, provided that it has first assessed the feasibility of such support. Such financial support shall provide the means necessary for the implementation of these agreements and decisions by the operators concerned. The Commission shall ensure that use of funds to support actions under those implementing acts does not compromise direct payments. If necessary, the Commission shall make available other Union funding to support actions under this subparagraph.

Changed:Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 8 a (new), Article 222a – paragraph 2: (8a) in Article 222a, paragraph 2 is replaced by the following: / 2.“2. The Commission may decide for which agricultural sectors from those listed in Article 1(2) the Union market observatories shall be established. It may also decide to distinguish between organic and non-organic production.production.”

Changed:Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 8 c (new), Annex I – part XII a (new): (8c) In Annex I, the following part is added:inserted: / ‘PART XII AXIIa / Vinegar / The vinegar sector includes products other than wine vinegar that are listed in the following table: / CN code / 2209 00 91 and 2209 00 99 / Description / Fruit vinegar, including kiwi vinegar, or fruit wine vinegar, berry vinegar or berry wine vinegar, cider vinegar, spirit vinegar, grain vinegar, malt vinegar, distilled malt vinegar, honey vinegar, flavoured vinegar’;

Changed:Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 8 d (new), Annex II – Part III a (new): (8d) In Annex II, the following part is inserted: / "Part"PART IIIa / Definitions concerning the hemp sector / Hemp“Hemp” means the plant Cannabis sativa L., of varieties listed in the Common Catalogue of Varieties of Agricultural Plant Species grown for its seeds, flowers, fibres, shives and roots"roots."

Changed:Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 8 e (new), Annex II – part IV a (new): (8e) In Annex II, the following part is inserted: / "Part IVa / Definition concerning the vinegar sector / 1. The1.The name “vinegar” shall only be used for product obtained exclusively by the biological process of double fermentation, alcoholic and acetous, from liquids or other substances of agricultural origin. It shall always be followed by the indication of the raw material used. With the exception of references to ingredients with flavouring properties, all additional indications are prohibited. / 2. Notwithstanding paragraph 1,1 of this Part, the name “vinegar” can be part of a registered protected designation of origin or a protected geographical indication protected under Regulation (EU) 2024/1143, in which case it shall be used in accordance with the specific rules provided by the relevant product specifications and regulations. / 3. The name “vinegar” shall not be used for mixtures of vinegar and acetic acid food grade. / 4. The acetic acid content of vinegar, expressed as their total acidity in g/100 ml, shall be given on the label as "... % acidity".";

Changed:Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 8 f (new), Annex VIII – part II a (new): (8f) In Annex VIII, the following part is added: / ‘Part II AIIa / Meat, meat products and meat preparations / 1. For the purposes of this part, ‘meat’ means edible parts of the animals referred to in points 1.2 to 1.8 of Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 853/2004, including blood. The meat-related terms and names that fall under Article 17 of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 and are currently used for meat and meat cuts shall be reserved exclusively for the edible parts of the animals. / 2. ‘Meat preparations’ means fresh meat, including meat that has been reduced to fragments, which has had foodstuffs, seasonings or additives added to it, or which has undergone processes that do not alter the internal muscle fibre structure of the meat enough for the characteristics of fresh meat to be eliminated. / 3. ‘Meat products’ means processed products resulting from the processing of meat or from the further processing of such processed products, so that the cut surface shows that the product no longer has the characteristics of fresh meat. Names that fall under Article 17 of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 that are currently used for meat products and meat preparations shall be reserved exclusively for products containing meat. / These names include, for example: / - Steak / - Escalope / - Sausage / - Burger / - Hamburger / - Egg yolk / - Egg whitewhite. / 4. The poultry products and cuts defined in Regulation (EU) No 543/2008 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EU) N…

Changed:Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 9 – point b, Annex X – point I – point 2: 2. The duration of the delivery contracts may be pluriannual.;pluriannual.

Changed:Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 9 – point c, Annex X – point II – point 2: The price shall be calculated by combining various objective, verifiable and non-manipulable factors set out in the contract, which shall include objective indicators, indices or methods of calculation of the final price, that are easily accessible and comprehensible and that reflect changes in market conditions, inflation, full production costs, including the remuneration of farmers, the total costs for additional services, the quantities delivered and the quality or composition of the agricultural products delivered;delivered. toTo that effect, Member States or regional authorities may determine indicators, that shall be published online for use in contracts, in accordance with objective criteria based on studies carried out on production and the food supply chain, data provided by the interbranch organisations recognised in accordance with Article 157(1), or data from the EU Agri-Food Chain Observatory. The parties to the contracts shall be free to refer to these indicators or any other indicators which they deem relevant.;relevant.

Changed:Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3, Article 88 – paragraph 7 – subparagraph 1: As of 2025, Member States may review their decisions referedreferred to in paragraph 6 as part of a request for amendment of their CAP Strategic Plans made in accordance with Article 119 and decide to use up to 6 % of their allocations for direct payments set out in Annex V, where relevant after deduction of the allocations for cotton set in Annex VIII, for types of intervention in other sectors referred to in Title III, Chapter III, Section 7, provided that such a decision does not adversely affect the level of basic income support for sustainability.

Changed:Recital 13: (13) To prevent purchasers from undermining the bargaining position of producer organisations, appropriate safeguards should be established for contacts between purchasers and members of those producer organisations. While purchasers may contact members of producer organisations, those contacts should not undermine the objectives of the producer organisations, or the concentration of supply and placing of products on the market. In parallel, it is recommended that, besides standardised digital tools, farmers should also have the benefit of easily-completable standard contract formats which are available at national level and which can be sent by email, in order to reduce red tape. Moreover, Member States should provide easily-accessibleeasily accessible online training courses and instructions for the drafting and registration of contracts.

Changed:Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2, Article 148 – paragraph 4 – point c – point i – indent 2: – be calculated by combining various objective, verifiable,verifiable and non-manipulable factors set out in the contract, which shall include objective indicators, indices or methods of calculation of the final price, that are easily accessible and comprehensible and that reflect changes in market conditions, inflation, full production costs, including the remuneration of farmers, total costs for additional services, the quantities delivered and the quality or composition of the milk and milk products delivered. / To that effect, Member States or regional authorities may determine indicators that shall be published online for use in contracts in accordance with objective criteria based on studies carried out on production and the food supply chain, or using data communicated by interbranch organisations recognised in accordance with Article 157 or data from the EU Agri-Food Chain Observatory. The parties to the contracts shall be free to refer to these indicators or any other indicators;

Changed:Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point b, Article 152 – paragraph 1a – subparagraphs 1 and 1 asubparagraph (new):1: 1a. By way of derogation from Article 101(1) TFEU, a producer organisation recognised under paragraph 1 of this Article, or a producer organisation, including a cooperative, or any other equivalent legal form registered in accordance with national law, that has not been recognised as a producer organisation by a Member State, but meets the requirements set out in paragraph 1 of this Article and of Article 154, may plan production, optimise the production costs, place on the market and negotiate contracts for the supply of agricultural products, on behalf of its members for all or part of their total production. / A producer organisation, including a cooperative, or any other equivalent legal form registered according to national law that has applied for recognition but has not been recognised as a producer organisation by a Member State may avail itself of this derogation within five years of the date of submission of the application for recognition.

Changed:Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 6, Article 168 – paragraph 4 – point c – point i – indent 2: – be calculated by combining various objective, verifiable,verifiable and non-manipulable factors set out in the contract, which shall include objective indicators, indices or methods of calculation of the final price, that are easily accessible and comprehensible and that reflect changes in market conditions, inflation, full production costs, including the remuneration of farmers, the total costs for additional services, the quantities delivered and the quality or composition of the agricultural products delivered; to that effect, Member States or regional authorities may determine indicators, that shall be published online for use in contract, in accordance with objective criteria based on studies carried out on production and the food supply chain, data provided by the interbranch organisations recognised in accordance with Article 157(1), or data from the EU Agri-Food Chain Observatory. The parties to the contracts shall be free to refer to these indicators or any other indicators which they deem relevant.

Changed:Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 7 – point a, Article 210a – paragraph 3 – point f a (new): (fa) promotionpromoting local agricultural production;