Help sought in dairy consultation

Scotland’s dairy farmers are being urged to participate and express their opinions in what is being hailed as a ‘once in a generation’ consultation.

NFU Scotland said that the UK Government’s consultation on dairy contract reform was an opportunity for dairy farmers to have their say in shaping a more effective dairy supply chain, with fairer terms for farmers.

And the union is hosting a series of online Zoom meetings on the topic to give participants an overview of the consultation and the issues it covers as well as an opportunity to raise concerns and issues around it.

“All Scottish dairy farmers are encouraged to join a meeting,” said milk committee chair, Gary Mitchell, who added that the union had also created a dedicated webpage for the consultation as well as guidance on how to respond to the consultation and an outline of the Union’s position the major issues..

“This is the most important consultation in the last thirty years for dairy farmers in the UK and a once in a generation opportunity for farmers to reform an uneven supply chain,” said Mitchell.

He said there was a “huge opportunity” to change the structure of the dairy industry to make it more sustainable, progressive and improve the way farmers and processors worked together but said it was vital to get input from dairy farmers throughout the country:

“I would encourage every dairy farmer to sign up to one of the four meetings we have scheduled for the end of July as well as filling out the actual consultation.