GERMANY – Milk processors are issuing new contracts to farmer suppliers which include quality assurance measures covering veterinary treatment given to cows and even details of feed.

The measures, known as Quality Milk Management (QM), come on top of existing hygiene and clean milk standards and take over from voluntary schemes and failure to keep within requirements could mean withdrawal of farmers’ supply contracts.

The inspections are to be carried out on behalf of the milk processors by independent organisations at least once every three years.

German processors are supportive of QM, which incorporates many new requirements scheduled for introduction as part of the EU’s food safety legislation in January 2005.

Dairy retailers including discount retail chain Aldi and McDonald’s restaurants have already said that they will insist on QM certification from January 2004.