GCA review finds role remains effective and necessary

The NFU has welcomed the government's response, which confirms that the GCA remains an effective and necessary regulator.

We support its continued role in promoting fair dealing between large retailers and their direct suppliers.

Key findings were that: 

• The GCA has sufficient powers. 
• The role remains effective and necessary.

In its response, the government also explained its reasoning for not creating a single regulator, due to insufficient evidence that that this was needed.

The government acknowledged supply chain consolidation, where retailers are reducing the number of direct suppliers that they work with.

However, the NFU has noted that there are ongoing gaps affecting farmers and growers which were not addressed in the government's response. These include issues such as:

• unfair practices in input markets (fertiliser, seed)
• lack of oversight in food service and out‑of‑home supply chains
• sectors not covered by either regulator (eg, ornamental horticulture)
• pressure passed down from first‑tier suppliers to farmers
• the need for safer, more trusted confidential reporting routes.

Read the response in full at: GOV.UK | Groceries Code Adjudicator: statutory review, 2022 to 2025.

NFU response

While the government’s review addresses several important points, it does not respond directly to concerns raised by NFU members about:

• unfair practices in input markets (fertiliser, seed)
• lack of oversight in food service and out of home supply chains
• sectors not covered by either regulator (eg, ornamental horticulture)
• pressure passed down from first tier suppliers to farmers, and
• the need for safer, more trusted confidential reporting routes.

These issues continue to affect the commercial viability of farm businesses and highlight the need for a more coherent regulatory landscape.

The NFU welcomes the government’s recognition of the GCA’s effectiveness and the decision to strengthen alignment with the ASCA by moving the GCA to Defra.

This is a constructive step toward a more coherent regulatory framework. However, significant gaps remain for farmers who operate outside the direct retail supply chain, and we will continue to work with the government to ensure that all primary producers have access to fair, transparent, and effective oversight.

We also look forward to the continued rollout of fair dealings regulations across all relevant sectors.

The statutory review consultation has officially closed, concluding the period for stakeholders to provide formal input.

The NFU’s response recognises the important role the GCA has played in promoting fairness and transparency in the grocery supply chain while identifying challenges that remain. In particular we have highlighted the ongoing vulnerability of primary producers, who often lack direct contracts with retailers and therefore fall outside the GCA’s current scope.

Coordination

We are calling for improved reporting confidence, better coordination with related regulators, and expanded oversight where needed. This includes stronger protections for indirect suppliers, whose relationships with supermarkets are often mediated through processors, packers, or other intermediaries.

Additionally, we want the GCA and ASCA to work together more strategically to address gaps in enforcement and ensure consistent treatment of suppliers across all tiers of the supply chain.

Ensuring fair trading

Through these measures, the NFU believes the GCA can evolve into a more effective guardian of fair-trading practices, supporting a more equitable and resilient future for British agriculture.

 The NFU looks forward to ongoing engagement with the GCA to ensure that British farmers are operating in a fair, transparent, and competitive supply chain.

We are seeking feedback from our national boards and members. We want to hear your insights and about your experience with the GCA, focusing on areas where primary producers face challenges in the supply chain. 

The DBT (Department for Business and Trade) has launched a statutory review of the GCA seeking stakeholder input on the GCA's performance from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2025.

The consultation aims to assess the GCA's effectiveness and consider its future role alongside the ASCA (Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudicator).

Find out more about the review on: GOV.UK | GCA statutory review, 2022 to 2025.