Dairy farmers are optimistic a new committee to be created by the competition watchdog will have adequate powers to help the battling industry.

A specialised consultative committee will be led by an independent chairperson, and will be critical to implementing the industry’s mandatory code of conduct.

United Dairy Farmers of Victoria President Paul Mumford told Macquarie National News Rural Reporter Eddie Summerfield, the ACCC needs to make sure the committee is well resourced.

“We’ve got to make sure it’s really fit for purpose and every dairy farmer, no matter what size, to make any claims to this new role,” Mr Mumford said.

The mandatory code will cover nine key principles, all designed to improve transparency, and fairness between processors and farmers.

The peak Victorian dairy lobby is broadly welcoming of the committee, and how it’ll interact with farmers.

“There are some really good aspects to this, if there’s any concerns from dairy farmers they’ve got the right to go to a body with their concerns,” Mr Mumford said.

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