The NFU welcomes this news from Brussels and urges Defra to grip the need for better supply chain relationships here in the UK. This is something the NFU has worked for both in the Dairy Industry Code of Best Practice on Contractual Relationships and more recently in our submission to the GCA consultation.
NFU dairy board chairman Michael Oakes said: “Farmgate milk prices are starting to improve but this does not mean that we take our eye off the ball in terms of important structural changes – that will support farmers and the supply chain during the next downturn.
“Markets remain fragile and it’ll take time for farmers to recover their cash flow following such a protracted dairy downturn. We’re glad the Commission is taking a prudent approach in pushing skimmed milk powder stocks back onto the market, so as not to damage a fledgling improvement in the market.”