The Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudicator (ASCA) has urged pig producers to contact his office if they have any concerns regarding their contractual relations.
Richard Thompson has published ASCA’s second report, outlining his office’s work with the dairy and pig sectors during his second year in the role, including the handling of formal and informal enquiries.
In a blog, he highlighted the importance of good, transparent communication within the supply chain when it comes to contractual relations.
“I knew regulations alone would not make contracts between producers and processors fairer. Of course, the rules are vitally important, but people also need to feel confident using them,” he said.
“Producers need to know their rights, processors need to understand their responsibilities, and everyone needs to know that concerns can be raised safely and will be taken seriously.”
The Fair Dealing Obligations (Pigs) Regulations 2025 (FDOP) came into force for all pig contracts on August 13, 2026. The equivalent dairy regulations have already been in force for more than a year.
The report highlights the challenging market conditions in both sectors, including reductions in pig numbers by processors and falling pig prices and high feed prices, resulting in negative producer margins – reinforcing the need for producers and processors to ‘communicate openly and manage contractual changes fairly’, Mr Thompson said.
“We have worked with producers and processors to gather evidence about current practice and identify practical information to help them adapt to the requirements,” Mr Thompson said.
“My team has engaged widely with producers, processors and representative bodies across the dairy and pig sectors through online and in-person meetings, sector events, farm and processor visits, agricultural shows and roundtables.”
He said concerns raised at an agricultural show led to a processor amending its contract to address a producer’s concerns and ensure compliance.
Roundtables brought farming unions, processors and representative bodies together to identify shared concerns, encourage better communication and transparency, and explore industry-led codes of practice. ASCA also gave evidence to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee’s inquiry into fairness in the supply chain, highlighting contractual fairness, market transparency and barriers to raising complaints.
Effective communication
“One message has come through clearly this year: good relationships are easier when contracts are clear and communication is timely and effective.
“Written contracts, transparent pricing and straightforward processes for making changes all help reduce uncertainty. They can also make it easier to have the right conversations early, before problems become disputes.
“In meetings, at events and in direct conversations, I have heard how useful it is when clear, transparent information is shared effectively and in a timely way. We have seen good examples of this where processors provide their producers with insight and rationale to what’s happening in the wider sector.
“Unfortunately, we have also seen examples where changes are poorly communicated and implemented, so it’s understandable when some producers get frustrated and turn to ASCA for advice”
How to raise concerns
Mr Thompson acknowledged that some producers may feel apprehensive about raising a concern with his office, especially if they are worried it might impact on important commercial relationships.
But he encourage anyone experiencing uncertainty or concern with their contractual arrangements to get in touch with his office as early as possible.
“In many cases, engaging my office as soon as issues become apparent can help to amicably resolve issues before they escalate,” he said.
“If you have a concern about your contractual relationship or want to understand whether an issue may be covered by the regulations, you can contact my team before making a formal complaint. You can raise concerns informally or through our in-confidence service, including anonymously. You do not need to have a fully formed complaint before speaking to us.”