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Food and agribusiness

We have one of the country's largest teams of food, beverage and agricultural solicitors. Our food and agricultural lawyers are experts, specialising in every legal element of the food supply chain.

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Businesses in the food and agribusiness sector have to contend with complex commercial imperatives and regulations.  
 
Issues can be as diverse as understanding agricultural subsidies, the environment, governance and gang labour, through to food and product safety, food quality, labelling and marketing. Other matters can involve health and safety, employment, tenancies, leases, licencing, energy, competition, litigation, joint ventures, insurance, partnerships, corporate mergers, acquisitions and disposals, banking and finance and commercial agreements....the list can be seemingly never-ending. 
 
Our food and agricultural lawyers’ understanding and experience of the sector means we can deal with the legal technicalities, helping you keep track of regulatory requirements and providing robust, practical advice to guide you when you need it.

Our experience

Our team of food and agricultural lawyers has deep expertise in the food and agribusiness sector, with work examples including:

  • Tate & Lyle Sugars on the acquisition of the B2B business of Tereos UK including advising on the competition law aspects, as the acquisition was referred by the CMA to a phase 1 and phase 2. 

  • Hugh Lowe Farms on their acquisition of premium salad grower LJ Betts. 

  • Richardson Malting (UK) (a subsidiary of Canadian Agribusiness Richardson International) on its acquisition of international malting company, Anglia Maltings.  

  • Shareholders of Strutt & Parker (Farms) Limited on its sale to Robigus Limited. 

  • Refresco on their acquisition of a substantial bottling plant from Coca-Cola Enterprises and the sale of a factory. 

  • The sale of Harry Ramsden's for the Boparan Restaurant Group to Deep Blue Restaurants. 

  • CPC Foods on the acquisition of the entire issued share capital of C & K Meats Limited and 75% purchase of Riverway Foods Holdings and 50% of Peddars Pigs. 

  • Coca Cola Amatil on the sale of SPC Ardmona to World Wise Foods. 

  • Puratos Group NV on their acquisition of the entire share capital of Fruitapeel Holdings. 
  • Greene King on the sale of a portfolio of 16 pubs to Heineken UK's Star Pubs & Bars, Marstons and Hall & Woodhouse. 

  • Keelings International on a successful resolution of a significant dispute.

  • The Wellcome Trust on the £249 million acquisition for the farming business of the Co-operative Group known as Farmcare and then on all its agribusiness and property matters. 

  • Fengrain on the sale of Fengrain’s storage business and assets to Frontier Agriculture.

  • Many clients on all of their food regulatory compliance requirements including labelling and advertising.

Did you know?

Food and Agribusiness Law Blog

Our specialist blog keeps you updated on all new developments affecting the agribusiness and food sector.

Agriculture & Rural Affairs Chambers UK 2019

Ranked Band 1 for East Anglia: "If I want something done right, I will go to Mills & Reeve".

Product Liability Food Chambers UK 2019

Jessica Burt is ranked Band 1 for Product Liability Food, and called: "a go-to for compliance."

What our clients say about us

 

“I have always found them to be highly professional, very competent and very effective at what they do. If I want something done right I will go to Mills & Reeve. ”

Client feedback

Chambers UK

“On Jessica Burt for Product Liability Food: "She's experienced, practical and easy to get along with".”

Client feedback

Chambers UK

“On Michael Aubrey for Agriculture and Rural Affairs: "He's very diligent, thorough, experienced and knowledgeable". ”

Client feedback

Chambers UK

Our clients

We have experience across the whole range of food and agribusinesses from 'farm to fork':

  • Large landowners and private farming families
  • International food growers and processors
  • Major food packagers and bottlers
  • International brewers and wine producers
  • Major restaurant chains such as McDonald's

Our lawyers

Our team is made up of lawyers with deep understanding of the concerns of the food and agribusiness sector, and experts who work exclusively for particular food and agri companies.

Get in touch

Our team of legal experts are here to support you.
Contact one of our lawyers today.

Food and agribusiness blog from our legal experts

Our food and agribusiness blog covers all legal aspects of the food and agribusiness sector.

Topics facing the food and agribusiness sector

We covered topics including the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) policy priorities, the CMA’s enforcement activities and more...

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