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Central European competition authorities exchange experiences with regard to combating unfair trading practices in the agricultural and food supply chain

The Austrian Federal Competition Authority organised a meeting on 14 February 2023 to which several competition authorities that are entrusted with the enforcement of the rules to combat unfair trading practices (UTP) in the agricultural and food supply chain were invited in order to share their experiences.

Directive (EU) 2019/633, which has been transposed into Austrian law by way of an amendment to the Fair Competitive Conditions Act (FWBG), creates a minimum Union level of protection against problematic practices applied by buyers in their relationships with their suppliers on the basis of imbalances in bargaining power.

Representatives from the Croatian, Czech, Slovenian, Romanian and Austrian authorities and the Austrian Fairness Office took part in the event. The plan is to hold such regional meetings more regularly in future.

Interim Director General Natalie Harsdorf-Borsch explained:

“Cooperating with one another and exchanging experiences among enforcement authorities are key to efficiently combating unfair trading practices in the agricultural and food supply chain. We look forward to more regular meetings with all of the participating authorities.”