Milk producers urged to have say on dairy code
Dairy farmers and other interested parties need to submit evidence on what changes they would like to see in the dairy code before March 21.
Evidence can be submitted in writing directly to the review chair, Alex Fergusson, at reviewchairman@gmail.com or posted to the NFU, NFUS or DairyUK. Farmers can also call these bodies to submit evidence.
“It is clear from preliminary discussions that the main participants in the supply chain have a sound appreciation of the issues and want to find solutions,” said Mr Fergusson.
See also: Calls for dairy code to be strengthened
“The strengths and weaknesses of the raw milk market are well understood and the most important thing is for parties to set out what changes they would like to see.”
There is no set timetable for the review, but it is set to conclude by the start of the next milk year on 1 April.
“Whether or not your milk buyer is signed up to the code, what is considered acceptable behaviour has changed significantly. It has given farmers far more choice as far as the type of contracts they wish to supply milk on.”
Mansel Raymond
Speaking at the NFU conference on Tuesday, Mansel Raymond, NFU dairy board chairman said: “The voluntary code is not perfect, it needs to be fine-tuned. The purpose of the review is to improve the code with the hindsight of a full milking year behind us for reference.
“Whether or not your milk buyer is signed up to the code, what is considered acceptable behaviour has changed significantly. It has given farmers far more choice as far as the type of contracts they wish to supply milk on.”
The dairy code, formally called the Dairy Industry Code of Practice on Contractual Relationships was established by DairyUK, NFU and NFUS and finally agreed in September 2012.
Evidence by post can be submitted to:
- NFU, Agriculture House, Stoneleigh Park, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, CV8 2TZ
- NFUS, Rural Centre, West Mains, Ingliston, Midlothian, EH28 8LT
- DairyUK, 93 Baker Street, London, W1U 6QQ