Policy Brief on competition in the food supply chains
Policy Brief | Issue 13 | February 8, 2024
The German Monopolies Commission on competition in the food supply chains
The Monopolies Commission recommends that interventions in agricultural markets or food supply chains to strengthen the market position of farmers should only be made cautiously and on a clear factual basis:
- The structures of the food supply chain in Germany show signs of competition problems and potential market power.
- Various instruments already exist to regulate these markets, but some of these have only recently come into effect and their consequences have not yet been conclusively evaluated.
- A final assessment is reserved for a more detailed evaluation.
13th Sector Report Telecommunications (2023): Achieving gigabit goals through competition!
Sector Report of the Monopolies Commission pursuant to § 195 (2) and (3) of the Telecommunications Act, December 13, 2023
The Monopolies Commission presents its 13th Telecommunications Sector Report.
- Extend mobile spectrum assignments for a maximum of three years and with conditions that promote competition.
- Allow infrastructure competition and open up fiber networks.
- Reduce the duration of proceedings at the Federal Network Agency.
13th Sector Report Post (2023): Renewing the postal service by enhancing competition!
Sector Report of the Monopolies Commission pursuant to § 44 of the Postal Services Act in conjunction with § 195 (2) and (3) of the Telecommunications Act, December 13, 2023
- The German Postal Act, which came into force in 1998, is long overdue to be renewed. The current draft of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action is a good starting point. It should be enacted as soon as possible.
- Universal service obligations, which define the minimum level for postal services, should reflect society's needs. This is currently not the case and should be corrected.
- The benefits of competition should be utilized in densely populated regions, even in the declining mail sector. Where necessary, deliveries from different providers can be bundled.
- The enforcement of labour and social law in the postal sector is mandatory. To this end, employees should be empowered to identify and report violations anonymously.
9th Sector Report Energy (2023): “Energy 2023: Using competition to overcome the crisis“
Sector Report on German energy markets pursuant to Sec. 62 of the Energy Regulation Act, October 9, 2023
- Competition-based security of energy supply is required.
- The import structure for gas should be more diversified and flexible.
- In the electricity sector, the Monopolies Commission recommends a competition-oriented capacity market.
- The Energy price caps should be phased out; direct transfer payments are preferable to price interventions at the household level.
- In the case of electric mobility, tenders must be supported at the municipal level and several competitors must be allowed to compete at service stations.
