In a landmark development for the British dairy sector, the four recognised Dairy Producer Organisations (DPOs) have created the Association of Dairy Producer Organisations (ADPO) — this is the first of its kind in Great Britain. The founding members are Davidstow Creamery Direct (DCD), MMG Dairy Farmers, the Milk Suppliers Association (MSA), and Selkley Vale Milk Group (SVMG).
The ADPO has been established by its members to give a unified voice to farmers who are members of registered DPOs across Great Britain. It also aims to support other dairy farmers seeking to formalise and professionalise their relationships with milk buyers. This initiative recognises the growing need for structured, effective and respectful dialogue between farmers and the dairy processing sector, which is essential for addressing shared challenges and delivering key priorities, such as the UK dairy roadmap and greenhouse gas emissions reduction.
This pioneering step enhances farmer representation outside the traditional co-operative structures and provides an important platform for producers supplying privately owned or FTSE listed milk buyers, a group that has historically been underrepresented. The ADPO offers a new, constructive model for collaboration between dairy farmers and processors – one grounded in transparency, mutual respect, and shared ambition. The formation of the ADPO builds on a legal framework originally developed under EU legislation, now enshrined in UK law. The organisation was officially recognised as an Association of Producer Organisations by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) in July 2025.
"Professionalising dairy farmer representation for those supplying private companies has been a long journey, but launching the ADPO is a significant and positive moment for our industry. We now have a robust governance framework capable of addressing the real-world challenges that dairy farmers and processors face together. Most importantly, this is a shared opportunity to understand what a successful, interdependent relationship should look like — and to build it, together."
“We know that we represent an important sector of dairying in the UK and want to work with others in the industry, We will not replicate good work being done by others and we will work alongside farming unions and other bodies, but our focus will be on growing our representation for our current members and offering the opportunity of membership of the ADPO for those Producer Organisations who wish to join us in the future.”
“Forming an ADPO adds an extra level of governance, and jointly, with other DPO’s provides the opportunity for one voice in support of farmers within the dairy industry, working together for its members.”
"Having been the only Dairy Producer Organisation in the UK for many years, we are pleased not only that there are now three others but that we can formally work together to share best practice and when needed, provide a collective voice for our members."
Notes to Editors:
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