Spain: The Commercial Code of Good Practice is already a reality
Representatives of farmers, cooperatives, agribusiness and marketing have signed the non-binding code that sets out the principles upon which must be based trade relations and business practices in the food chain in Spain.
Isabel García Tejerina presided today at the headquarters of the Ministry, the signing of the Code of Good Marketing Practices in Food Procurement, which has been signed by Professional Agricultural Organisations ASAJA, COAG and UPA; Cooperative Agro-alimentary of Spain, the Spanish Federation of Food and Drink Industries (FIAB) and the Spanish Association of Distributors Supermarkets and Supermarkets (ASEDAS).
Principles of the Code of Good Practice
García Tejerina has detailed the Code establishes principles upon which must be based trade relations and business practices, and the circumstances of low adhesion and the same. He also pointed out that, as basic principles, balance and fair reciprocity between the parties, freedom of covenant of good faith and mutual interest, the fair distribution of risks and responsibilities, cooperation, transparency defined, respect to free market competition and sustainability in the food chain.
At the same time, a series of compromises and common to all operators established general business practices and specific business practices. Furthermore, the Code lays down additional commitments that are intended to ensure the quality of foodstuffs, reduce the volume of food waste and strengthen cooperation between operators to market crises.
Moreover, the Minister noted García Tejerina relevant aspect as mediation and conflict resolution system, which aims to solve them with the utmost care. He also said that member companies must design and publish an internal dispute resolution procedure.
For the interpretation and determination of the scope of the provisions, it has established a Monitoring Committee set a code control system compliance.
In short, “this Code credited us all to society and especially to those companies interested in highlighting to consumers their social responsibility.” To the minister, with the signing of this Code “a new era in trade relations in the food chain in our country opens. Now it is everyone spread,” according to the Spanish Minister of Agriculture.
Sharing
In his speech, García Tejerina has stressed that it is the first time a code for the entire food chain is established and thanked the signatories have made the effort to reach this agreement.
As pointed out, the food value chain is “absolutely strategic in our country” for its social and economic importance, so it was necessary to establish a regulatory framework that would provide equity to business relationships, and that it was provided with the appropriate tools to ensure compliance.
For this, the minister explained that the law was drafted measures to improve the functioning of the food chain, which includes mechanisms and tools needed for compliance, such as the CIA and Food Control (AICA), the Observatory Chain Food and Commercial Code of Good Practice.
Source: MAGRAMA
