Commercial giants sign an equity pact in the food chain

Commercial giants sign an equity pact in the food chain

VIENNA. The rules should apply to farmers and small businesses – Starting in 2019, a supplier ombudsman.

The dimensions of the food trade with the Minister of Sustainable Development, Elisabeth Köstinger (left): Xavier Plotitza (metro), Fritz Poppmeier (Spar), Horst Leitner (Hofer), Christian Schug (Lidl), Marcel Haraszti (Rewe), Frank Hensel and RainerWill (both Trade Association) Image: (BMNT / Paul Gruber)

The Austrian food trade is in fierce competition. In the old k.u.k. The War Ministry in Stubenring, which currently houses several ministries, buried the leaders of the Austrian guilds in the war. United within the Austrian trade badociation, they made a voluntary commitment to equity in the food chain with Elisabeth Köstinger, Minister of Sustainable Development and Tourism.

The political vice president fights as president of the Council at EU level and as minister in Austria for more equity in the value chain. The list of dirty practices that are accused of trading: u. at. Subsequent modification of quantities and delivery prices, unfounded rejection of the goods, deduction of the referencing and advertising contributions.

Pioneer in the EU

Surprisingly, this happened after months of misfires, carried out by the media, for a common approach. Even before the EU adopts minimum standards for fair trade relations, a solution seems to have come to fruition in Austria. "The trade is committed to implementing the fairness catalog that we have prepared with the Federal Competition Authority (BWB)," said the minister yesterday at the meeting. with the directors general. An ombudsman will be established as a "subliminal access" for the complainants. It is enshrined in the law, settled in the BWB and advises, educates and mediates in cases of conflict. "This is the missing link between the legal situation and practice, the gray area," said Rainer Will, general manager of the professional badociation.

His badistant Frank Hensel, former head of the Rewe distribution chain in Austria and prominent gray food trade, believes the new deal in the sector is positive: "We have to work together and this is the first time that we are successful, it is great that the ministry is ready to reach an agreement before the European regulation ". It was time: "Otherwise, we will never get rid of reprimands, because nobody wants to have a bad image."

Prophylactic effect

The commitment would not be an empty shell: "The black sheep will be located fairly quickly and the pact will be prophylactic".

The initiative came from the peasantry. However, Friedrich Poppmeier, a member of the savings council, already sees very little potential for conflict with it: "Many farmers provide us directly and we must now be afraid to be partners with farmers."

Köstinger explained that the mediator would also take care of small and medium-sized companies. For many farmers, they are the link to the food trade. "No one should be afraid to report in the future if he feels things are not going well," said the politician.

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