About 30 local dairy farmers and industry representatives met with officials in Wauchope this week to have their say on a dairy industry code of conduct.
Federal Nationals Member for Lyne Dr David Gillespie participated in the discussions about how the new mandatory code should look in order to improve help improve contracts between farmers and processors, and said it was well overdue, but there were additional measures required to create a better playing field for the dairy industry.
“This code will certainly help provide a more level playing field but I am keen for the processors and the retailers in particular to help become part of the solution top to ensuring our farmers not only become more sustainable, but have the capacity to grow in the future,” Dr Gillespie said. “If the retailers also don’t start taking greater ownership very soon in helping the dairy industry become more sustainable, then more measures may need to be implemented by government.”
“The code will aim to make contracts fairer, more transparent and enforce a dispute resolution process.”
“In relation to the development of this mandatory code, I was keen to ensure local farmers and processors throughout our region had their say to ensure the code will work for them and our local region,” Dr Gillespie said. “We all know how important the dairy industry is to us here in our region and this is an important first step to helping to secure the industry’s future.”
