Dairy farmers are being urged to complete the UK Government’s milk contracts consultation before the 15 September deadline

With less than two weeks to go, NFU Scotland is urging all dairy farmers in Scotland to complete the UK Government’s consultation on new legislation for milk contracts by the deadline of Tuesday 15 September.

The Union has been calling for reform in milk contracts for some time and this consultation is the best opportunity for change in thirty years.  NFU Scotland is urging dairy farmers to go to https://consult.defra.gov.uk/agri-food-chain-directorate/contractual-relationships-in-the-uk-dairy-industry/ and complete the consultation before the deadline.

DEFRA report that the consultation is in response to concerns raised that primary producers, including dairy farmers, tend to occupy positions of relative market weakness in the food supply chain. Consensus among agricultural producers in the UK is that unequal bargaining power with processors and retailers can expose farmers to unfair treatment, with the potential to undermine equitable price transmission along the chain.

If dairy farmers have any questions on the consultation they should go to the Union’s dedicated webpage at https://www.nfus.org.uk/policy/dairy/dairy-contracts.aspx  which should be able to answer any queries that they have.

NFU Scotland Milk Committee Chair Gary Mitchell said: “NFUS have proactively engaged with a large number of farmers, milk buyers and other stakeholders on this consultation, but it is absolutely vital that dairy farmers in Scotland take the time to complete the consultation and have their voices heard.  

“Change is never an easy process, but if you as an individual are in control of the change, then not only is it more palatable, then the change can be to your advantage.  

“For too long dairy farmers operate in a supply chain where there are too many external variables that can directly affect their bottom line, this is an opportunity to change that.”

Notes to Editor

• For the UK Government’s consultation on milk contracts go to https://consult.defra.gov.uk/agri-food-chain-directorate/contractual-relationships-in-the-uk-dairy-industry/   
• For more information from NFU Scotland on the consultation go to https://www.nfus.org.uk/policy/dairy/dairy-contracts.aspx
  

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Contact Douglas Ross on 07823 556253