DARD Minister Michelle O’Neill has welcomed agreement on a dairy industry voluntary code of practice for the north of Ireland.
The aim of the voluntary Code is to set out good practice for contracts between producers and purchasers. The Minister said: “I am pleased to learn that the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) and Dairy UK (NI) have agreed a voluntary Code of Practice for contractual relationships between suppliers and purchasers of milk in the north
“A similar Code was agreed recently in Britain but given the differences between the dairy supply chains in Britain and the north, our industry felt it was necessary to develop a Code that would take those differences into account.
“I welcome the development of this industry Code, which is a positive step forward as part of the outworking of the EU Dairy Package. I believe that good relations between producers and processors are vital for the future good of the dairy industry.
“I also welcome the UFU’s expectation that this Code will work alongside the recommendations of the Agri-Food Strategy Board, ensuring that the dairy industry is able to adapt and grow whilst meeting the challenges ahead.”
