NFUgets leave to challenge MMC report
NFUgets leave to challenge MMC report
THE NFU has been granted permission to legally challenge the recommendations of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission milk report and the governments response to it.
In a High Court hearing last week the union was granted leave to apply for a judicial review on the report and granted a reference to the European Court on matters of European law.
Philip Hudson NFU dairy policy advisor, said the union was keen to pursue the case, despite the decision by Milk Marque to split into three regional co-ops.
The report had threatened the right of all UK farmers co-operatives to invest in processing capacity and needed to be challenged, he explained.
"We are taking the case on behalf of all farmers who want to take part on co-operatives – not just milk co-ops.
"We wish to see the report overthrown and the ministers decisions quashed to enable all producers who are involved in co-operative businesses to plan ahead," he said.
Mr Hudson stressed it was important not to raise hopes but admitted, if successful, it was possible farmers could eventually be compensated.
The case is expected to take up to two years to complete.