Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 20th January 2015
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Dairy prices: MPs call for change
milk
Sixty dairy farmers left the business in December 2014 alone.

Government urged to protect farmers in milk report

MPs are calling on the government to offer greater protection to dairy farmers in the face of rapid cuts to milk prices.

A report on dairy prices released today (January 20) makes a series of recommendations for tackling the current dairy crisis.

Milk prices have fallen rapidly over the past six months, which is partly due to a Russian trade ban with the EU and a reduced demand from China. As a result, 60 UK farmers left the business in December 2014 alone, and for the first time, producer numbers have dropped below 10,000.

The situation prompted an inquiry last year to gather a snapshot of the difficulties facing British farmers.

Commenting as the dairy report was published, Anne McIntosh, who is chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Efra) Committee, said: "Frequent, sharp and unpredictable rises and falls in milk price are driving dairy farmers out of business every week. 

"The volatility of worldwide and domestic milk markets is making financial planning and investment impossible for small-scale producers unable to hedge against changes beyond their control."

Committee MPs are urging the government to include dairy farmers and other small-scale producers in the protection offered by the Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA). The GCA can investigate complaints relating to the direct suppliers to the big 10 retailers. As the majority of milk producers are small-scale, most dairy farmers are currently excluded from this protection.

Efra Committee also strongly criticised the government for failing to activate the GCA's power to fine retailers who break the code of best practice.

Ms McIntosh said: "We were shocked to learn in evidence that the government have spent more than a year failing to set the level of fine the GCA can seek when she finds against a retailer. This leaves her unable to use her main power."

In its report, the committee also seeks an EU-wide review of the milk intervention price and calls on farmers to form producer organisations to increase their clout in the market.

The government is furthermore urged to help producers tap into a greater number of export opportunities, improve codes of practice in the dairy industry and to press for clearer country-of-origin labelling on products.

Read the dairy price report here: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201415/cmselect/cmenvfru/817/81702.htm

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.