DIF/Milk Marque talks collapse

23 June 1998

DIF/Milk Marque talks collapse

By FWi staff

MILK MARQUE – the farmer-owned co-operative – is pushing ahead with changes to the July selling round, following a breakdown in talks with the Dairy Industry Federation (DIF).

Milk Marque has accused processors, represented by the DIF, of abusing the selling system to push raw milk prices down.

Jonathan Horrell, Milk Marque spokesman, said time had run out to reach an agreement with the DIF. He said the co-op would push ahead with its plan to change the selling-round rules, but would not disclose what the co-op intends to do.

When asked if Milk Marque would scrap the controversial 90% selling rule, Mr Horrell replied: “Its well known that thats one of our options, but its not the only option available.”

Milk Marque is expected to disclose its planned changes by the middle of next week.