Advocacy group Dairy Connect is calling on dairy industry workers nationally to submit feedback on the code since its January 1, 2020 introduction.
“The code was introduced to address what the ACCC identified after a two-year inquiry as market failure in the Australian dairy industry,” Dairy Connect chief executive Shaughn Morgan said.
“It was hoped the code would lead to a farm gate price paid to dairy farmers that was fair, just and equitable.”
Feedback is being collected by the Federal Department of Agriculture, which is conducting the review.
The code sets the minimum standards to which the parties in a milk supply agreement (MSA) must follow, including the minimum price, ‘good faith’ negotiations, plain English contracts, a 14-day cooling-off period and non-exclusive MSAs to be made publicly available.
“Dairy Connect will be making a submission on ways in which the collective bargaining process can be included in the dairy code,” Mr Morgan said.
“Another aspect of the code that needed review was the dispute resolution process, as without the ability to enforce the code provisions by quick, effective and inexpensive action, positive change would not occur.”
Dairy Connect is an advocacy body for the entire supply chain and represents a broad cross-section of the dairy industry.
Consultations close on August 15.
Feedback can be submitted on the Federal Government's Have Your Say website: haveyoursay.awe.gov.au/dairy-code-of-conduct-review
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