France weighed in with some pointed remarks at this week’s farm council meeting in Luxembourg and its view - that something has to be done about the growing dominance of supermarkets - was supported by several other countries.

Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel responded by giving an overview of the initiatives taken by the Commission since last year. She referred in particular to the Commission's roadmap to improve the functioning of the food supply chain, and to work carried out on the competitiveness of the agrifood Industry.

An investigation into the dairy and pigmeat markets is ongoing and the results are due to be published by the end of the year.

Several ministers talked of a code of conduct. Some outlined their experience in this respect. Others pointed out the difficulties in actually proving improper practices.