Source: European Parliament
The EU agri-food chain observatory (AFCO) was launched in 2024 as one of the actions that aim to strengthen the position of farmers in the food supply chain and reinforce trust between actors.
As set out in its Terms of Reference[1], the purpose of AFCO is to advise the Commission and to exchange information and discuss, based on available evidence and facts, with a view to establishing a common diagnosis of the situation across markets, and bring increased transparency on prices, cost structure, margin distribution and added value in the supply chain, while respecting confidentiality and competition rules.
Expert groups, such as AFCO, provide advice and expertise and do not engage in policy discussions. In line with its Terms of Reference, any recommendation of the group would only represent an input to policy making, providing facts and data to inform policy responses by the Commission and other policy-makers. Such analysis can support legislative proposals and discussions by the co-legislators.
Members of AFCO are Member States’ authorities and organisations representing stakeholders operating in two or more EU Member States, and active in at least one stage of the food supply chain.
Stakeholder organisations were selected by the Commission through a public call for applications in line with rules for the creation and operation of Commission expert groups[2].
The objective was to gather experts from all along the food supply chain. The European Parliament’s Secretariat of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development has an observer status to the group and regularly participates in its meetings.