The National Farmers Union has called for the European equivalent of the Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) to tackle unfair trading practices abroad.
NFU President Meurig Raymond, expected to release more details at a food supply chain seminar hosted by the European political group European Conservatives and Reformists, is set to speak alongside the GCA's Christine Tacon in Brussels.
Mr Raymond will emphasise the need for British farmers to have the same kind of protection they enjoy domestically when they trade abroad.
He will reiterate that open and fair access to European markets remain a high priority for the wider UK rural economy, an issue that will become even more important in negotiations on the UK’s future outside the EU.
Mr Raymond says he wishes to see a "strong regulation" at a European level, and an independent enforcement office, such as the GCA, introduced.
"I know there are many who fear that this will lead to overzealous European regulation – but implemented in a proper way this will give producers the security and confidence they so badly need," Mr Raymond said.
"The purpose of this is to give suppliers the confidence to highlight unfair trading practices in a confidential way.
"This confidentiality is crucial as submitting evidence on unfair trading practices can be very damaging for a supplier, if this information is within the public domain.
Operating on a global stage
Mr Raymond said British farmers, like many across Europe want to be competitive and wish to operate on a global stage.
"The UK farming unions were disappointed that President Juncker failed to mention this vital issue in his State of the European Union last week.
"This is a clear example of an area where European oversight is badly needed and we urge the Commission to come forward with legislation providing meaningful protection for Europe’s farmers and shoppers," Mr Raymond concluded.
The GCA was introduced in 2012, following years of NFU lobbying.
The role is to enforce the Grocery Suppliers Code of Practice, which stipulates how the top 10 retailers are expected to fairly manage their relationship with their direct suppliers.
According to a YouGov survey carried out on behalf of the GCA, in 2016 62% of direct suppliers said they had experienced an issue in the past year, down from 70% in 2015 and 79% in 2014.
