The evolving role of private actors in shaping agri-food supply chain regulation

Abstract

The regulation of agri-food supply chains is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by the increasing role of private actors in achieving sustainability objectives. This paper examines the evolving function of private autonomy within the agri-food system, emphasizing its interaction with European legal frameworks such as the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) 2023–2027, the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, and the EU Deforestation Regulation.

Through a systemic approach, the analysis highlights how private autonomy is being reshaped by normative tools that guide economic activities toward sustainability goals. The CAP’s revised framework emphasizes cooperation and aggregation among supply chain actors, fostering governance models that address economic, environmental, and social dimensions. Simultaneously, transnational regulatory measures impose new obligations on agri-food enterprises, integrating private autonomy into a broader accountability framework for global supply chains.

This study identifies a paradigm shift towards “guided autonomy,” where private actors are tasked with implementing sustainability norms while operating within a legislative framework designed to balance public and private interests.