New Body for UK Dairy Producers Launched to Foster Industry Changes

The launch of the Association of Dairy Producer Organisations (ADPO) at UK Dairy Day marks a significant milestone in the British dairy industry. This pioneering establishment aims to unify Dairy Producer Organisations (DPOs) and promote professionalism in dealings with milk buyers. The emphasis is on addressing shared challenges, contributing to the UK's dairy roadmap, and managing greenhouse gas emissions.

Offering an alternative to the traditional co-operative model, the ADPO aims to ensure representation for farmers who supply to privately owned or listed milk buyers, a group historically underrepresented. This initiative aligns with ongoing efforts for increased fairness in the dairy supply chain, further supported by the Fair Dealings Obligations (Milk) Regulations 2024.

NFU dairy board chair Paul Tompkins hailed the ADPO as a "new start for a significant proportion of the UK milk pool". Meanwhile, ADPO chair Rory Christie described the launch as a "significant and positive moment for our industry," establishing a governance framework to tackle industry challenges. The ADPO aims to build a successful, interdependent relationship between dairy farmers and processors.