EU Talks on Dairy Contracts

The challenging conditions facing dairy farmers have been on the agenda at the Agriculture Council in Brussels today.

Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment Richard Lochhead joined other Ministers in toasting the sector with a glass of milk.

The main discussions centred around the Commission’s proposals to amend the regulations governing contracts for the milk sector as recommended by the High Level Group in June.

Mr Lochhead said:

"I welcome the Commission’s proposals to improve the contractual position of primary producers. This is a step forward, although more can still be done.

"It has been clear to me that in Scotland there is an imbalance within the dairy supply chain which acts against the long term interests of producers. This has to be addressed.

"I am pleased that the European Commission has recognised this and these tabled measures."