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European Commission Agrees With Need For Buyer Power Inquiry |
18 July 2008
After a Written Declaration succeeded in gaining support from 435 Members of the European Parliament in late January (see BTNB 39), the European Commission wrote to the Parliament, more or less saying that a formal Inquiry was not top of their agenda, but they would keep a watching brief on issues surrounding the abuses of buyer power by European retailers. However, at a meeting in mid-July with EU Competition Commissioner and senior Commission officials, Parliamentarians from the UK, Poland and Hungary who were among those who sponsored the Written Declaration last October were told that this was indeed "a topical subject".
Officials apologised for the length of time Commission officials had taken to prepare their response to the Parliament, but stated that they were now «very keen to take action in this area». The Commission is clear nonetheless that they can only investigate when they have solid proof of how this is affecting consumers. They also emphasised the responsibility of national competition bodies to investigate issues concerning abuses in national markets.
Source: Agribusiness Accountability Initiative Europe, Brussels, 16/07.
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