Fairer pig supply chain rules to come into force
© Tim Scrivener Defra’s new Fair Dealing Obligations (Pigs) Regulations 2025 come into force on 13 August, aiming to ensure fairer contracts for pig farmers and producers.
The rules require written, signed contracts with clear terms on pricing, duration, termination, and dispute resolution.
The government says the new regulations are designed to secure a fairer deal for pig farmers, following extensive consultation with farmers, producer groups, and the wider industry.
See also: Fairer supply chain regulations for pig farmers become law
Modelled on reforms already in place for the dairy sector, the rules aim to make contracts between pig producers and processors more transparent and balanced.
The regulations will give farmers greater certainty and confidence in their contract terms.
The new rules are designed to promote fairness, consistency, and transparency across the sector by:
- Improving the structure and clarity of contracts
- Protecting producers from unfair trading practices
- Giving farmers more control over how and when they sell their pigs.
As with the dairy sector changes, a 12-month transition period will allow the pig industry time to adjust and fully comply with the new requirements, which will apply to new and existing contracts, by August 2026.
Daniel Zeichner, Defra minister for food security and rural affairs, said: “Our pig farmers work incredibly hard to supply high-quality British food – at home and around the world.
“These reforms will make sure farmers work in a supply chain that’s fair, clear, and built on trust.
“They’ll be able to plan for the future with confidence, knowing they’re protected from sudden contract changes and have clear ways to sort out any disputes.”
He added: “This is a practical, proportionate step forward, backed by industry and part of our plan for change to support food security and rural growth.”
Agricultural supply chain adjudicator Richard Thompson is engaging with the sector to enforce these rules and support farmers, encouraging concerns to be raised confidentially via a dedicated mailbox: asca-in-confidence@defra.gov.uk.