Dairy code discussion

The draft code of conduct that will govern the relationship between dairy farmers and milk processors will be open for discussion and consultation at a meeting at Warragul on Tuesday, January 29.

The draft and a regulation impact statement both released last week will be on the table is discussion at the meeting, one of three to be held in Victoria.

Federal Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud said that once adopted the dairy code would be mandatory on the parties.

He said the regulation impact statement was an assessment to cost of implementing the code would have on farmers and processors.

United Dairyfarmers of Victoria president Paul Mumford said every dairy farmer should take the time to attend the forum or have their say online.

The mandatory code will affect every single Australian dairy farmer and it is critical that they are given sufficient opportunity to learn what is proposed and to have their feedback heard, he said.

The Victorian forums, at Echuca and Warrnambool as well as Warragul, are the second consultation stage in developing the code.

The first round of meeting was held between October 31 and November 28 last year.

Mr Littleproud said the dairy industry had called for a code and the government was getting on with delivering it with as much consultation as possible.

He said the mandatory could would help balance the market power between diary farmers and processors and improve farmers’ bargaining power.

“As it stands the code will require processors to publicly release their standard form agreement on a set date each year”.

It will also establish a dispute resolution process to prevent unilateral changes to agreements and outlaw retrospective step down payments, Mt Little proud said.

The mandatory code will impact some 5,800 dairy farmers in Australia and 87 dairy processors will replace a voluntary code that will stay in place until the new code is developed and adopted.

The meeting at Warragul on January 29 will be at the Warragul Country Club from 10.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. Pre-registration is not required. People will also have the opportunity to have their say at two tele-town halls (telephone hook-ups lasting about two hours) on February 6 at 2 p.m. and on February 7 at 10 a.m.

Further information is available at the Have Your Say website at https://haveyoursay.agriculture.gov.au/dairy-code-conduct, by emailing dairycode@agriculture.gov.au or phoning 1300 044 940.