THE latest round of milk price cuts have prompted calls for the dairy code of practice to be enshrined in law.

After most major processors cut the price they pay farmers for milk, some at only a few days’ notice, there are calls to make the dairy code of practice, which is currently a voluntary arrangement, into law.

The four-day notice about its 1.27ppl cut given to farmers by Arla has caused the most concern. The dairy code includes a 30-day notice period before any price change, but Arla does not adhere to this for some of its suppliers.

Eifion Huws, of the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) said: “We supported the introduction of the code and were willing to give it a chance, but it now seems we still need to look at whether some form of legislation could be swiftly introduced if it is not working as intended.

"Even in May last year evidence was emerging about processors opting out of the code, in full or in part, and we believed then that the threat of legislation would help push the code forward.”

Responding to a question raised in the Senedd, minister for natural resources and food, Alun Davies said now was not the time to legislate.

“We have a structure in place within the dairy code where a review is currently taking place,” he added.

“It was established in September two years ago with a commitment to review the workings of that code within two years. Alex Fergusson, the Conservative member of the Scottish Parliament, is leading that inquiry. He will report in due course on the effectiveness of the code and I will consider our position when we have had that review.”

Mr Davies said the code is regularly reviewed by the Welsh dairy taskforce.