CHALLENGES OF LEGAL REGULATION OF THE ACTIVITIES OF SHORT-TERM FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN IN LITHUANIA

Abstract

The relevance of the study. In the face of the Covid 19 pandemic, the need for small local growers and producers has emerged, with more and more consumers discovering local products. This has also led to an increase in small producers. The European Union (EU) has also turned green and started promoting the consumption and production of healthy, natural products while respecting its environment, with a decision by 2023. present a proposal for a single piece of legislation on a sustainable food system by the end of 2007, which should promote policy coherence at both EU and national level but will analyze the impact on small and medium-sized enterprises (farms). The main problem. As consumers continue to increase their demand for food safety, product quality and variety, traditional food supply chains are breaking down into much shorter food supply chains with many small players. For this reason, there is a need to analyze whether the legislation in force in Lithuania is adapted to the development of small producers. This was also determined by the aim of this work – to examine the regulatory processes of TMTG and to analyze the challenges of their application to small food producers.The paper conclude, that the vast majority of laws and regulations governing the activities of short-term food supply chain operators provide for exemptions and their application to small producers. The biggest challenge is to achieve exceptional quality in the labeling and sale of products to public authorities and companies. To meet these challenges, small producers need to invest heavily and acquire the necessary skills and knowledge. The novelty. Although there are a number of scientific articles analyzing TMTG in various aspects, the novelty of the topic is that this article will seek to reveal the peculiarities of the regulation of the activities of TMTG entities in Lithuania and the challenges for small entities in adapting to it. The methodology used included analysis of scientific literature, laws and legal acts, descriptive, analytical, comparative and logical methods.