JPP proposes new protections for Portuguese agricultural producers

Filipe Sousa, a deputy for the Juntos Pelo Povo (JPP) party, has introduced a bill in the Assembly of the Republic aimed at strengthening protections for agricultural and food producers. The proposal seeks to establish a principle of economic justice by ensuring that no producer is forced to sell their goods for a price lower than the effective cost of production.

The bill addresses rising expenses in energy, fuel, fertilizers, labor, and transport. It proposes that in every transaction within the food supply chain, the net price paid to a supplier cannot be lower than the product's effective cost. To support micro and small producers, the initiative includes a simplified cost calculation methodology, free standardized models, and technical assistance to prevent increased bureaucracy.

Key features of the proposal include: - Mandatory written and transparent contracts. - Clearer rules for price formation. - Protection against excessive discounts and promotions. - Public indicators for market and production costs. - Contract revision mechanisms triggered by significant cost changes.

The legislation specifically accounts for the additional costs associated with the insularity of Madeira and the Azores, including logistics, storage, and energy. Oversight would be conducted by ASAE and relevant regional services in the autonomous regions. The JPP clarifies that the bill does not fix prices or commercial margins but aims to prevent selling below demonstrable costs while maintaining negotiation freedom.