There have been significant shifts from the 10 priorities outlined following the consultation phase of the Australian Dairy Plan.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The top priority of the plan after the national workshop was: "New measures to increase transparency and help manage market risk including the establishment of a functioning milk price market and new risk measures backed by government legislation."
That priority seems to have all but disappeared, incorporated into the final point: "We will restore trust and transparency between farmers, processors and retailers to improve supply chain profitability and better manage volatility and risks."
The Key Directions Statement focuses on what it describes as processors and farmers working on simplified payment systems and longer-term contracts.
In relation to the former second priority, the document simply says: "We commit to building on these initiatives to restore trust and transparency between farmers, processors and retailers to help improve supply chain profitability and better manage volatility and risks."
"We will look to learn from other dairy markets to improve transparent pricing and risk management, but recognise we will need initiatives that align with the Australian dairy industry and its culture of private enterprise and entrepreneurialism," it said.
The Key Directions Statement emphasises positive messaging, greater commitment to marketing across the supply chain and improving farm business management to lift profitability.
The issues of drought and climate change listed in the original 10 priorities are not mentioned.
The draft plan is due at the end of the month before the final plan is released by the end of February 2020.