Dairy contracts timeline - the story so far

2024

The 'Fair Dealing Obligations (Milk) Regulations' are laid in Parliament

2021-2023

Defra, Welsh Government and the other devolved administrations develop the dairy contracts code alongside industry

2021

Government commits to develop a code

This was in response to the consultation which saw widespread industry support.

2020

Defra, Welsh Government and the other devolved administrations launch a consultation

The consultation was on a new mandatory code for dairy contracts.

2020

The Agriculture Act (2020) becomes law

This gives the UK Government the power to regulate on contracts.

2018

The Grocery Code Adjudicator report highlighted an imbalance of power in the dairy supply chain

The UK Government also recognised the need to legislate dairy contracts.

2015/16

NFU calls for extending powers of the Grocery Code Adjudicator

In the wake of another dairy crisis, NFU calls for extending powers of the Grocery Code Adjudicator to improve fairness in the supply chain.

2012

SOS dairy campaign, farmer blockades of supermarkets

There were also widespread protests about milk prices.

2009

NFU launches campaign to improve dairy contracts

This was in the wake of the Dairy Farmers of Britain (DFOB) collapse.

2007

NFU launches a new template dairy contract

This is aimed at improving contract terms for farmers