PART 3Transparency and fairness in the agri-food supply chain

CHAPTER 3Producer organisations

I131Recognised organisations: competition exemptions and further provision

1

Schedule 2 amends Schedule 3 to the Competition Act 1998 (general exclusions) so as to exclude certain agreements between members of recognised organisations from the Chapter 1 prohibition.

2

The Secretary of State may by regulations make further provision about recognised organisations.

3

The type of provision that may be made in the regulations includes—

a

ongoing requirements with which a recognised organisation must comply;

b

provision about the monitoring and enforcement of those requirements.

4

Provision made by virtue of subsection (3) may (among other things) include provision—

a

about the provision of information;

b

about the keeping of records;

c

about the suspension or withdrawal of recognition;

d

about appeals;

e

conferring functions (including functions involving the exercise of a discretion) on a person.

5

The regulations may also include provision about the extent to which, and the circumstances in which, recognised organisations may delegate certain functions, which may include a procedure requiring that an organisation request permission from the Secretary of State.

6

In this section, “recognised organisation” means—

a

a recognised producer organisation,

b

a recognised association of producer organisations, or

c

a recognised interbranch organisation.