The UK government is planning to introduce compulsory country of origin labeling for dairy products in order to support struggling dairy farmers.
Dairy products including cheese, milk and yoghurt will feature the country of origin labeling, The Guardian reported.
The dairy market has witnessed slump in milk prices by over 50% in the past one year, compelling thousands of farmers to quit the industry.
Good weather conditions in the country had led to increased dairy production. However, the decline in dairy sales was caused due to tepid demand from China and a ban imposed by Russia on Western dairy products. UK dairy farmers have also been facing further stress as a result of supermarkets slashing the price of essentials including milk.
UK Environment Secretary Liz Truss was quoted by The Guardian as saying that the government is also considering to establish futures market for dairy produce in order to reduce price fluctuations and to extend the authority of the grocery market watchdog to include dairy farmers.
Truss said that pork, chicken and lamb would carry the country of origin labeling from April as per the new EU laws. Truss wants dairy products to be next category to carry this label on packs.
