Queries for UK government about milk prices and aid

Jim Paice, the British government’s Agriculture Minister, received a public letter from Anne McIntosh MP, chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee about the recent milk price crisis this week. In it, McIntosh says, “The delay in agreeing the voluntary code is unacceptable… The committee urges the goverment to make securing a voluntary code a priority.”

The letter also posed questions such as “What have Defra and UKTI done in the last 12 months to help exports of UK dairy products?” and “When will the £5 million announced by the Prime Minister be made available and on what terms?”

She says,  “It is frustrating that for the last 14 months the government have been saying that a voluntary code is the best way forward for the dairy industry but have yet to secure an agreement on its content. In evidence to our Committee last week we heard firsthand how time is running out for many dairy farmers. We urge the government to secure the voluntary code as a matter of priority. If it cannot then legislation must be considered.
“We are delighted that talks on the code are going ahead but we will reserve the possible decision to invite the secretary of state before us in September if no formal decision is reached.”