Supply chain Adjudicator urges farmers to speak up over unfair supply contracts

The Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudicator (ASCA) publishes second annual report, highlighting progress in promoting fair dealing and addressing concerns across agricultural supply chains

Farmers are being encouraged to raise concerns their supply contracts, as the Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudicator continues his work to promote fairer trading practices and improve relationships between farmers and purchasers.

The Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudicator Richard Thompson published his second annual report today (Tuesday 3 November), highlighting progress in promoting fairer trading practices across the dairy and pig sectors.

The Adjudicator has been working closely with farmers and businesses across the UK’s milk and pig sectors to promote fair dealing, improve understanding of supply contract obligations and encourage better trading practices.

In one case, the ASCA helped a dairy farmer secure clearer contract terms after concerns they could be prevented from selling surplus milk to other buyers. By raising the issue with the processor while protecting the farmer’s identity, the office helped secure changes confirming farmers could sell surplus milk elsewhere.

Richard Thompson, Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudicator, said:

Fairer supply chains start with clear contracts, honest communication and a shared understanding of rights and responsibilities. We’ve seen how raising concerns early can lead to better contracts and resolve problems before they escalate. Producers don’t need to make a formal complaint to us. They can seek advice and raise concerns in confidence. With our work now covering milk and pigs, we’ll continue helping producers and purchasers tackle concerns, improve practices and build stronger trading relationships.

Fairer supply chains start with clear contracts, honest communication and a shared understanding of rights and responsibilities.

We’ve seen how raising concerns early can lead to better contracts and resolve problems before they escalate. Producers don’t need to make a formal complaint to us. They can seek advice and raise concerns in confidence.

With our work now covering milk and pigs, we’ll continue helping producers and purchasers tackle concerns, improve practices and build stronger trading relationships.

Farming Minister Stephen Morgan said:

Farmers deserve a fair deal, clear contracts and a level playing field to help their businesses thrive. Richard and his team are helping deliver this by working with farmers and processors to resolve concerns and build fairer trading relationships. We’re also strengthening protections for dairy farmers, with fair contracts and transparent supply chains vital to a productive, profitable and sustainable sector.

Farmers deserve a fair deal, clear contracts and a level playing field to help their businesses thrive.

Richard and his team are helping deliver this by working with farmers and processors to resolve concerns and build fairer trading relationships.

We’re also strengthening protections for dairy farmers, with fair contracts and transparent supply chains vital to a productive, profitable and sustainable sector.

The report also highlights work with producers, processors and industry representatives to improve understanding of the Fair Dealing Obligations Regulations, identify emerging concerns and encourage better practice across agricultural supply chains.

Over the coming year, the Adjudicator will continue working with the dairy and pig sectors, while preparing to support the development and potential implementation of fair dealing regulations in the egg sector.