ollie989898
Member
Clause 3 of my milk contract stipulates that it is a requirement of supply that the farm/business is RT compliant.
I don't actually object to being audited to ensure that the farm is presentable and that we are doing our best to produce a wholesome product.
I do, however, object to the fact that RT is, to all intents and purposes, meaningless to the general public as it was never promoted properly at birth so has no "branding" or recognition over say a French cheese on the supermarket shelf.
I also object to an ever greater power grab/job justification by RT with more & more compliances and of course they should have been reigned in BUT when the consultation response was so poor (Guilty M'lud), and the fact that it is Jobs for the Boys on the RT board, then perhaps we only have ourselves to blame.
And, as I said, some dairy farmers walked away from their supermarket aligned contracts because of ever tightening inspections and petty rules
Around here there have been times where farmers would fight tooth and nail to get a supermarket contract because their prices are generally very good. Yes, they are more demanding in their requirements but at least you are paid a premium in return and have the option to sell to someone else and say no thanks to their scheme if you so choose.
RT gives you no such option. I don't understand why dairy farms need it. Most milk buyers have requirements and inspectors who are far more clued up.