Competition Law and Policy and the Food Value Chain

Abstract

This On-Topic revisits the complex issues rising in the food sector and its value chain. Both the European Union and the US competition authorities have scrutinized relationships between food chain actors. The increasing market concentration raises new challenges for competition enforcement authorities dealing with the creation of new powerful actors at the distribution but also at the factor of production (input) levels. The concept of superior bargaining power has played a key role, sometimes criticised, in order to assess these relationships. The papers also discuss the critical intersection of competition law with public policy, with the aim to preserve sustainability, food safety and the stability of agricultural markets.

Keywords: European Union, United States of America, Unilateral Practices, Dominance, Abuse of economic dependence, Test SLC, Market power, Competition policy, Agriculture, Food products

JEL Classification: K21