Warrnambool Cheese and Butter changes contracts after watchdog intervention

By Jim Cornall

- Last updated on GMT

The ACCC said WCB acted promptly and agreed to take steps to address ACCC concerns.
The ACCC said WCB acted promptly and agreed to take steps to address ACCC concerns.
Australian dairy company Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory Company Holdings Limited (WCB) has altered terms in its milk supply agreements and milk supply handbook following engagement with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) regarding what the government watchdog said was potentially unfair contract terms.

The ACCC said WCB’s contracts with farmers contained terms that allowed it to unilaterally vary the milk price and other milk supply terms, with the farmer unable to terminate the milk supply agreement early without incurring a financial penalty.

WCB, which is owned by Canadian company Saputo Inc., has contracts that also placed restrictions on farmers selling their farm and required farmers to indemnify WCB for loss that could be avoided or mitigated by WCB, the ACCC said.

WCB acted promptly and agreed to take steps to address the ACCC concerns. WCB agreed it would not impose a penalty on any farmer who terminates their milk supply agreement before the expiration date, it would not unreasonably withhold consent from a farmer wishing to sell their farm, and it would narrow the scope of the indemnity required from farmers.

Finding a solution

WCB has written to farmers who operate under these milk supply agreements to advise them of the changes to the agreement. WCB will also make the relevant changes to its milk supply handbook for the 2018/2019 season.

“Unfair contract terms in milk supply agreements have the potential to harm dairy farmers and their businesses,”​ ACCC deputy chair Mick Keogh said.

“WCB has worked with the ACCC to find a solution that balances the farmers’ rights under the milk supply agreements and addresses the ACCC’s concerns about potentially unfair contract terms.”

The ACCC recently conducted an inquiry into the competitiveness, trading practices, and transparency of the Australian dairy industry. The ACCC submitted its final report to the Treasurer in April 2018, which included a key recommendation that a mandatory code of conduct be implemented to improve contracting practices between dairy processors and farmers.

Related topics Regulation & Safety

1 comment

ACCC and Retailers

Posted by George,

The question from the masses of people within the Food & Beverage Industry is "What action is the ACCC taking on the Retailers code of conduct"?

Report abuse