• The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food participates in the creation of this initiative that arises from the European Union
• The Observatory was created to increase transparency and equity between the different links in the chain

One of the measures to address the concerns of agricultural and livestock professionals is already underway. This is the European Union Agri-Food Chain Observatory ( AFCO ), a measure agreed upon by the Council of Agriculture Ministers of the European Union (EU) on March 26.

Thus, this body was launched this July, with the support of the Director General of Food, José Miguel Herrero. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food ( MAPA ) has emphasized that the initiative "represents a significant step toward greater equity and transparency in the European food sector " and that it aims to benefit all stakeholders in the agri-food chain, from farmers to consumers.

The AFCO is made up of a group of up to 80 experts who will support the European Commission (EC) with the aim of establishing a common assessment of the situation in all markets. In the medium term, it will provide transparency in prices, cost structures, and the distribution of margins and added value in the supply chain. This is intended to be achieved through new advisory methodologies and cost structures and distribution of profit margins.

All of this, of course, in compliance with confidentiality and competition rules. The goal is to build trust between stakeholders in the food sector and authorities and administrations, especially the EC.

In addition, the current agri-food data portal will be expanded to include new relevant indicators available online and free of charge. The portal will complement existing observatories on agricultural and fisheries markets .

Based on previous experience

Spain, through MAPA, has supported the creation of the Observatory and has offered its experience gained through the current Spanish Observatory of the Food Chain ( OCA ), whose purpose is to achieve a balance between links in the food chain to ensure "fair, loyal, and effective" competition. The chain's stakeholders and the relevant administrations also participate in the Observatory.

At the AFCO kick-off meeting, representatives from the Member States explained the functioning of their national observatories and discussed an initial working document.

There are a number of open calls for expert groups from this and other EC observatories on its official Transparency website .