Juntos Pelo Povo (JPP) deputy Filipe Sousa has presented a bill in the Assembly of the Republic to strengthen the protection of agricultural and food producers. The initiative argues that no farmer should be forced to sell their produce below effective cost, proposing transparent written contracts, clearer pricing rules, and protection against discounts and promotions.
The proposal stipulates that the net price paid to suppliers must not be less than the product's effective cost in any transaction within the agri-food chain. A simplified calculation method, free standardized model, and technical support are foreseen for micro and small producers. The bill also accounts for the additional costs associated with the insularity of Madeira and the Azores, such as transport and logistics, which should be factored into the effective cost of products.
The JPP clarifies that the proposal does not fix prices or commercial margins but aims to prevent producers from selling below demonstrable costs, while maintaining freedom to negotiate above this value. The measure intends to rebalance power in the agri-food chain and contribute to the sustainability of national production, acknowledging the specific challenges of island regions.
