The Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudicator (ASCA): rules and guidance
How the Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudicator operates and how to make a formal complaint or contact us in confidence.
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The Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudicator (ASCA) enforces the Fair Dealing Obligations (Milk) Regulations 2024 and the Fair Dealing Obligations (Pig) Regulations 2025.
The ASCA, acting on behalf of the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, will carry out the enforcement functions under the regulations.
The Fair Dealing Obligations (Milk) Regulations 2024 came into force in the UK on 9 July 2024. They apply to all new contracts made for the purchase of milk from a producer. There is a transition period of 12 months for existing agreements, after which all such contracts will need to be compliant with the regulations by 9 July 2025.
The Fair Dealing Obligations (Pigs) Regulations 2025 come into force in the UK on 13 August 2025. They apply to all new contracts made for the purchase of pigs from a qualifying seller. There is a transition period of 12 months for existing agreements, after which all such contracts will need to be compliant with the regulations by 13 August 2026.
The ASCA will investigate relevant complaints about milk or pig purchase contracts raised by producers.
Where the ASCA finds that a purchaser has failed to comply with a requirement under the regulations, the ASCA may require the purchaser to pay a civil penalty or compensation or both.
The maximum amount of a civil penalty is 1% of the purchaser’s turnover, to be paid into the government’s consolidated fund.
Any unpaid civil penalty can be recovered as a debt.
The ASCA will also review the regulations within the first 5 years of them being made, and at least every 5 years after that, and publish a report setting out the conclusions of each review.
The ASCA will be committed to engaging with industry and making sure the regulations are understood and complied with.