Milk and milk products
Defra is responsible for milk production and marketing policy in England, UK policy on dairy aspects of the Common Agricultural Policy and milk quotas. Defra represents UK interests at the EU Management Committee for milk and milk products. The farmgate price for milk is updated by Defra Statistics around the ninth or tenth of each month.
Defra also has responsibility for sponsorship of the dairy industry in the UK, which includes sponsorship of DairyCo (formerly Milk Development Council). Export licence enquiries are the responsibility of Lincoln Animal Health Office (Tel: 01522 563132) Import licence enquiries are the responsibility of Chelmsford Animal Health Office (Tel: 01245 358383).Latest news
20 April 2009 - Plans for independent animal health body - deadline for comments 30 June 2009.
31 March 2009 - Explanatory note: Implementation of the CAP Health Check milk quota increases.
20 January 2009 - Consultation on the implementation of the CAP Health Check milk quota increases. Deadline for comments 27 February 2009.
20 November 2008 - CAP health check deal a step forward but also a missed opportunity
18 November 2008 - Consultation on implementation of the EU School Milk Scheme in England. Deadline for comments 10 February 2009.
1 September 2008 - Explanatory note: The Milk and Milk Products (Pupils in Education Establishments) (England) Regulations 2008.
2 May 2008 – Milk Roadmap published
The Dairy Supply Chain Forum's Milk Roadmap - the first stage of a comprehensive action plan, helping the dairy sector address the environmental footprint for the consumption and production of liquid milk. Commitments include:
- Milk producers - reducing the greenhouse gas balance from dairy farms by 20-30% between 1990 and 2020
- Primary production sector - boosting the number of dairy farmers taking part in environmental stewardship schemes to 65%, nutrient planning to 90% and animal health plans to 95%
- Milk processors - meeting or beating the energy and carbon dioxide reductions of the sector Climate Change Agreement
- Processors and packaging manufacturers - half of all milk packaging will come from recycled material by 2020
Get the Milk Roadmap (PDF) and learn more about the work of the Dairy Supply Chain Forum.
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See also
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Department of Health for nutritional aspects of milk
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Food Standards Agency for milk hygiene and labelling
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International Animal Health (IAH) Division within Defra - responsible for imports and exports policy
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Rural Payments Agency administers schemes under the Common Agricultural Policy
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Nitrates - reducing water pollution from agriculture
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Farming for the future within Defra – responsible for policy relating to food security and food price inflation
Page last modified:20 April 2009