Dairy farmers will have to look to further improving levels of animal welfare going by the news that Arla is conducting a six-month trial on producing such milk.
According to one producer, Arla has introduced a Gold Pilot Scheme in a bid to do away with retailer groups, and it is several members of the milk processor’s Asda group, that are taking part in this six-month trial.
However, one of the stipulations of the trial is that milk producers can only send cast cows direct to slaughter, which according to those in live auction system, is a worrying development for livestock breeders and feeders.
Hitting out at the processor, Scott Donaldson, president of the Institute of auctioneers and appraisers in Scotland, said milk producers should have the choice to market their cows where they are going to make the most from them, be that through a live ring or deadweight.
“This move, should it result in a permanent clause in any milk contract is clearly anti competitive, and we would question its legality, and urge producers to resist such constraints.”
Commenting on the new trial scheme, a spokesperson for Arla said no changes have been made to members contracts and that the company is continually looking to develop it’s high animal welfare standards.
“This is very much a small scale trail with a few farmers to initiate leading animal welfare standards which might appeal to retailers and consumers,” she said.