Spain passes law to protect farmers against price abuse

The Spanish government has passes new legislation that is aimed at protecting the country’s beleaguered farmers, amidst growing protests. Under the new law, passed at the end of February, retailers and wholesalers who sell agricultural products at below-cost prices will face fines of up to €1 million. The new measures also mean that production costs must be taken into account in contractual relationships to ensure that prices of fruits and vegetable don’t fall below what they cost to produce. The law is part of a series of reforms made to the Food Chain Law designed to ensure fair and transparent pricing.

Spain’s farmers have taken to the streets in recent weeks to protest against low prices and high production costs. 

Picture: Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación