EU Code of Conduct on agricultural data sharing by contractual agreement
Non-binding document providing guidance on the use of agricultural data, and the principles and relationships within the agri-food chain
Description
The “EU code of conduct on agricultural data-sharing by contractual agreement” is a non-binding guideline developed by a consortium of private actors operating in the agriculture and machinery sectors that regulates and promotes the transparent, fair and efficient sharing of agricultural data. The code establishes key and general principles regarding: 1) data ownership, 2) data access, control and portability, 3) data protection and transparency, 4) privacy and security. 5) liability and intellectual property rights, and calls for the transparency, security and interoperability of data sharing contracts, ensuring data ownership for farmers and fostering collaboration among various stakeholders in the agricultural sector. It contains four case studies showcasing such practical applications as the usage and processing of data in precision feeding and animal disease forecasting. The code also provides references to the most relevant regulatory frameworks related to the sharing of agricultural data, serving as a practical reference for involved parties.
Technology
The non-binding code mentions different types of data collected within the agri-food chain (e.g. livestock and fish data, agronomic data, machine data). The case- study section highlights the use of sensors for the collection of data on animal health, the use of GIS and weather stations, in addition to sensors for the monitoring of field conditions (such as humidity, wind speed and direction, and temperature), and the use of IoT and machine learning for the collection and processing of data. User-friendly interfaces are also mentioned for the display and processing of data on animal illnesses.
Target
The document benefits all the signatory parties, and any relevant agricultural stakeholders who are willing to voluntarily adopt the code of conduct for the management and promotion of responsible access to data. The public and private sector as well as academia and civil society organizations can all benefit from its value and the importance it places in setting fair and transparent rules to ensure data sharing is handled appropriately and securely. The report recommends a series of measures and offers guidance on the use of agricultural data, proposing general principles and contractual relationships in which the farmer remains at the heart of the collection, processing and management of agricultural data.
Impact
The “EU code of conduct on agricultural data sharing” is a pioneering non-binding governance document regulating the use of non-personal data in the field of agriculture. While it cannot be used as a legal document, it references several binding EU regulations. Its guidance on the inclusion of agricultural data within contractual agreements aims to improve resource efficiency, productivity, animal welfare, resilience to climate change, and to support the achievement of more prosperous living conditions for rural communities.
Partners
European Agricultural Machinery Industry Association (CEMA); Fertilizers Europe; The European Organisation of Agricultural, Rural and Forestry Contractors (CEETTAR); European Council of Young Farmers (CEJA); European Crop Protection Association (ECPA); European Forum of Farm Animal Breeders (EFFAB); European Feed Manufacturers’ Federation (FEFAC), European Seed Association (ESA); Centre de Liaison International des Marchands de Machines Agricoles et des Reperateurs (CLIMMAR); AnimalHealthEurope
Four Betters
Better environment
Better life
Better production
