Milk Marketing Board

The 1920s were a difficult period for milk producers, with production exceeding demand, falling prices and farmers forced to sell up. In response the UK government passed the Agricultural Marketing Act in 1931 and created the Milk Marketing Board on the recommendation of the Reorganisation Commission for Milk in October 1933. The mission of the Board was to ensure that farmers were able to sell all the milk produced by their herds for the best possible price.

The Board created a register of producers and prohibited unregistered producers from selling milk. It had the power to police the marketing of milk, to buy and sell milk, dairy products and related equipment. The Board was also responsible for encouraging research and education. It set out contracts for the sale of milk and accepted milk that hadn’t sold.

The Board consisted mainly of members elected by registered producers representing different regions of England and Wales. They set the strategic course for the organisation, and were responsible for creating policies. The Board members were supported by a central, Executive Committee and regional committees. A team of directors under a general manager were responsible for enacting decisions. The Board was largely funded by a levy paid by producers. From 1939 the Head Office was located in Thames Ditton, Surrey, whilst each main division had regional operating organisational structures. The Milk Marketing Board grew to have 7000 employees.

Amended by various governments, the Milk Marketing Board members decided that the organisation should become a voluntary cooperative in 1994, adopted the name Milk Marque. The former processing division was renamed ‘Dairy Crest’ and was acquired by the Canadian business Saputo Inc.