A not-so-common thing happened in France recently: The FCD (retailers) and UNFD (traditional greengrocers) unions raised their voices together against a new bill on commercial relations concerning fruit and vegetables passed by the French Senate.

It is not everyday these two arch rivals team up. But their anger is understandable: the senators voted quite discretely on a new series of regulations while at the same time an ad-hoc committee was the scene of discussions between traders and producers, and observers believed some results had already been registered.

Passing over is not only unfair but it might be quite dangerous for the industry. For example: the bill introduced a co-responsibility concept, between producers and traders, if retail prices are seen as too low. As a result, wholesalers will think twice now in their relations with providers.

Some of the regulations are definitely incompatible with EU rules and Brussels won’t miss the opportunity to remind the French government. Last summer it objected to the bill forbidding price promotion in retail catalogues. The bill has to be examined by the MPs now and things will certainly change.

The funny thing here is that everyone involved probably knew the regulations were not viable from the start. So what is the point of all the fuss? The answer might be found somewhere in the tug of war between the retail and produce industries.