Vast quantities of data is collected by farm machines, drones, robots, satellites, sensors, meteorological stations, etc. Sharing this data could help to make more data-based, rather than intuitive, decision making, the farm body COPA COGECA has said.

It is seeking to build up trust in order to maximise the potential of data sharing in the agri-food chain. To do this, it launched a "Code of Conduct" tool setting out transparent principles and clarifying responsibilities.

The document contains non-binding guidelines that provide guidance on the use of agricultural data. It was launched during the week as discussions around the future of the Digital Single Market took place in Brussels this week.

Contract check list for agricultural data:

  • Is there an agreement/contract in place?
  • What obligations are there? What warranties and indemnities are on each party?
  • What data is collected?
  • Who owns/controls the data?
  • What services are delivered?
  • Will my data be used for other goals than providing me, data originator, a service? Is is clear what these are?
    • Can I agree/disagree? What are/is the benefits/values for me?
    • Is data shared with other parties? What rules do the external parties adhere to?
    • Can I agree/disagree with sharing data with other parties?
    • Can the service provider change the agreements unilaterally?
    • What happens when the service provider changes ownership?
    • Can I retrieve my dataset from the system in a usable format?
    • Will I be updated on security breaches?
    • Can I opt out of the service and have my data deleted from the system?
    • Is there a contact point to assist me with my questions?
    • Do you have a need for insurance?
    • What are the terms of confidentiality?

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