The United Kingdom approves new contractual regulations for the pork sector

The Fair Treatment Obligations (Pig Sector) Regulations 2025 are a direct result of the pig crisis of 2021 and 2022, which highlighted severe power imbalances in the supply chain and the lack of reliable contractual relationships between pig sellers and buyers. The new pig sector regulations, developed in consultation with the sector over the past three years, follow a structure similar to existing legislation for the dairy sector, which is also being developed for the fresh produce and egg sectors. The rules will be implemented gradually over a period of 12 months. From August 13, all new pig supply contracts must be formalized in writing. This requirement will also apply to existing contracts from August 13, 2026. Contracts must include, among other things, clear clauses on: contract duration; pricing mechanism used; supply of the contracted number of pigs by buyers and sellers; force majeure clauses relating to the collection or delivery of pigs to producers and processors; a ...