Code of practice imminent for dairy farmers
Following cross-industry talks at the Royal Welsh Show this July, a code of practice to ensure fairer pricing for dairy farmers is on the way.
At the show it was agreed by officials, farmers, processors and retailers that “in future, contracts between farmers and dairy processors will be freely negotiated, fairer and more transparent".
However, EFRACOM, the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee, have written to Jim Paice, minister for farming, to outline their frustration on the issue and to ensure the code is approved by September or they may call on Caroline Spelman, DEFRA secretary of state.
EFRACom chairman Anne McIntosh said: "We urge the Government to secure the voluntary code as a matter of priority. If it cannot then legislation must be considered. We are delighted that talks on the code are going ahead but we will reserve the possible decision to invite the Secretary of State before us in September if no formal decision is reached."
DEFRA has announced that talks to formalise a code will take place during August 2012, with the aim of ensuring individual farmers are able to negotiate the terms of their milk contacts, including pricing and notice periods.
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
