Legislation to Protect Dairy Farmers' Rights Set to Be Presented to UK Parliament Next Month
Source: The DairyNews
After a decade-long campaign by industry leaders, legislation aimed at safeguarding the rights of dairy farmers in the supply chain is scheduled to be presented to the UK Parliament next month.
The National Farmers' Union (NFU) and NFU Scotland have confirmed that a Statutory Instrument (SI) will be laid before Members of Parliament (MPs) in February. This development is seen as a significant milestone in the efforts of farming unions and Dairy UK to secure government regulation on milk contracts, farmers' rights, and pricing.
NFU Dairy Board Chair, Michael Oakes, welcomed the news and stated, "It has been a long time coming, but we welcome confirmation last week from Defra that the dairy contracts Statutory Instrument will be laid before Parliament in February." He emphasized the need to review the details of the Statutory Instrument to ensure alignment with the NFU's goals for fair, transparent, and collaborative supply chains.
NFU Scotland's Milk Policy Manager, Tracey Roan, described the announcement as a "major breakthrough" and highlighted the adoption of an NFUS amendment to apply the new rules to both existing and new contracts. This amendment, she noted, was a "major success." The union intends to scrutinize the Statutory Instrument to ensure it is fit for purpose and delivers fairness and transparency across the entire UK.
Both Tracey Roan and NFU President Minette Batters emphasized that the dairy Statutory Instrument could serve as a blueprint for fairer terms in the broader farming sector. Minette Batters stated, "This is a blueprint for all those other sectors. It is not a silver bullet, there is no silver bullet. But the legislation is now going to be laid. It will be looking at existing contracts as well as those contracts that will be made in the future. This is about a level playing field."
While the exact date remains undisclosed, it is believed that the new regulations will provide farmers with a straightforward way to raise concerns about their contracts, and clear rules will be established regarding notice periods. Defra has not commented on the specific date but has indicated the forthcoming nature of the legislation.
NFU Dairy Board Chair, Michael Oakes, welcomed the news and stated, "It has been a long time coming, but we welcome confirmation last week from Defra that the dairy contracts Statutory Instrument will be laid before Parliament in February." He emphasized the need to review the details of the Statutory Instrument to ensure alignment with the NFU's goals for fair, transparent, and collaborative supply chains.
NFU Scotland's Milk Policy Manager, Tracey Roan, described the announcement as a "major breakthrough" and highlighted the adoption of an NFUS amendment to apply the new rules to both existing and new contracts. This amendment, she noted, was a "major success." The union intends to scrutinize the Statutory Instrument to ensure it is fit for purpose and delivers fairness and transparency across the entire UK.
Both Tracey Roan and NFU President Minette Batters emphasized that the dairy Statutory Instrument could serve as a blueprint for fairer terms in the broader farming sector. Minette Batters stated, "This is a blueprint for all those other sectors. It is not a silver bullet, there is no silver bullet. But the legislation is now going to be laid. It will be looking at existing contracts as well as those contracts that will be made in the future. This is about a level playing field."
While the exact date remains undisclosed, it is believed that the new regulations will provide farmers with a straightforward way to raise concerns about their contracts, and clear rules will be established regarding notice periods. Defra has not commented on the specific date but has indicated the forthcoming nature of the legislation.
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