France introduces law to rein in supermarket price wars and help underpaid farmers
Paris — On Wednesday, President Emmanuel Macron’s government presented measures to rein in supermarket price wars in an attempt to strike a balance between farmers who claim they’re underpaid for their produce and consumers who are concerned with their purchasing power. The so-called "law for a balanced commercial relationship in the agricultural and food sector, and for healthy and sustainable food" tightens up rules against stores selling at a loss and bases prices paid to farmers on their production costs. "We will preserve our capability to produce while ensuring a fair price to our farmers," agriculture minister Stéphane Travert said after the measures were approved at Wednesday’s cabinet meeting. "This law will revolutionise and reverse the relationship between farmers and large retailers." Farmers will be encouraged to set up sellers groups that will establish minimum prices, and contracts will be renegotiated if production costs change. "Agriculture is the only industry I kn...
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