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Dairy processors will have to abide by a new compulsory code of conduct, the UK government has announced.
It follows an exercise last year where views were sought on whether regulations should be introduced to ensure fairness across the dairy supply chain.
“The responses clearly demonstrated the need to introduce new regulations to require certain standards for contracts between those producing and buying milk for processing,” the UK government said.
However, “distinctive circumstances” in NI will be considered when the new code of conduct is being developed.
This includes the farmer owned co-operative structure of the NI dairy sector and the cross-border movement of milk for processing in the Republic of Ireland.
“Given the differences between the NI and GB dairy sectors, further stakeholder engagement will be required to ensure any potential legislation would be appropriate in NI,” said local agriculture Minister Gordon Lyons.
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