An EU Directive on unfair trading practices in the food supply chain entered into force on 30 April 2019, aiming to protect farmers and small food producers against falling victim to such practices in business-to-business relationships.

The Directive, which establishes a layer of minimum protection that will apply in all EU Member States, also provides for enhanced enforcement, coordination among authorities facilitated by the European Commission and evaluation of the policy. Member States will have to transpose the Directive into national law by April 2021 and apply it 6 months later.