Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Andrew Griffiths and James Paice

Thursday 5th July 2012 Commons Chamber

[Andrew Griffiths (Burton) (Con)]

6. What steps she is taking to support the dairy industry.

[The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Mr James Paice)]

This week’s announcement of further price cuts for many dairy farmers, especially those who are not aligned to supermarkets, is a heavy blow, especially when global commodity prices seem to be rising again. I will be meeting industry representatives next week to hear their concerns. In the meantime, I remain committed to persuading the industry to develop its own code of practice regarding contracts and, as the House will be aware, the Bill to introduce a groceries code adjudicator is in the other place.

[Andrew Griffiths]

I thank the Minister for that answer, but he will know that the dairy industry is in crisis. Dairy farmers in my constituency faced a 2p cut in June and face a further 2p cut in August. That is unsustainable. Is it not time that he intervened to impose a code of conduct, so that our dairy farmers get a fair price?