Catalogue description Records of the Milk Marketing Board

The Milk Marketing Board (Milk Marketing Board) was established in October 1933 as a result of the Milk Marketing Scheme (Approval) (England and Wales) Order 1933 (SI 1933/789). That order in turn resulted from the report of the Reorganisation Commission for Milk (1933) which followed the passing of the Agricultural Marketing Act 1931. These measures followed a period of disruption and hardship felt by milk producers.

The Milk Marketing Board was set up to ensure that all milk produced on farms was collected and sold for the best price possible. It registered milk producers and prohibited sales by unregistered producers; had general powers to regulate marketing; miscellaneous powers to buy and sell milk, its commodities and equipment; and encouraged research and education. It prescribed contracts for the sale of milk by producers (other than sales by retail), accepted unsold milk and licensed producer-retailers.

Under the 1933 Order, England and Wales were divided into eleven regions, and the Board consisted mainly of members elected by registered producers in each region. The Board was supported by an Executive Committee and regional committees. It was funded principally by a levy on the producers. While policy and strategy were determined by the Board, a general manager and a team of directors with supporting staff carried out its decisions. Milk Marketing Board's organisational structure comprised a number of divisions, with one main Head Office, plus supporting and regional operational structures for each main division.

Under the terms of the Agricultural Marketing Act 1931, the Minister of Agriculture had powers to amend or revoke the Scheme, or direct the Board: the scheme was amended sixteen times until it was revoked under the Agriculture Act 1993. The operation of milk marketing schemes had for some time been the responsibility of the various milk divisions of the ministry when, in 1992, a Milk Marketing and Legislation Division was set up in MAFF to prepare new legislation for UK Milk Marketing Schemes. Combined pressure from trade competitors, the European Commission and the British government persuaded the Board that the organisation should become a voluntary co-operative. It did so in 1994, with the name Milk Marque.