British farmers to hold urgent summit on milk prices

FARMERS have warned that British- produced food could disappear from many supermarket shelves within months because “the industry is in crisis”.

The four main farming unions, the NFU Cymru, the NFU, NFU Scotland and the Ulster Farmers Union, will meet with farmers in London to discuss the issue.

Dairy farmers protesting over the price they’re paid for their milk have taken cows into an Asda supermarket in Stafford.

The announcement follows talks between Morrisons and disgruntled farmers, who have blockaded the company’s distribution centres and overseen the mass purchase of milk from supermarket shelves.

NFU president Meurig Raymond said: “The situation many of our members are experiencing has become a crisis”.

“Our members… need one thing at the moment, and that is money”.

But Raymond asked farmers to be careful not to alienate consumers with any action.

“For lots of farmers there’s a cash flow issue”.

Referring to Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority (TEAGASC) statistics, he said farm incomes are expected to slump 40 per cent, leaving a third of business with negative margins for the year.

“Government needs to take action to ensure that contracts to all farmers are longer-term and fairer…”

“There has been a race to the bottom to devalue product”.

Mr Booth said Friday’s protest was supported by the vast majority of those they spoke to.

He added: “We recognise that the current market for liquid milk is impacting on hardworking dairy farmers and their families”.

He added “peaceful protest has worked” and would continue until a solution was found.

British dairy organisation AHDB Dairy said the average UK farm gate price was 24.06p per litre in May, a decrease of a quarter over 12 months.

A pair of Friesian heifers were escorted through a supermarket in Stafford, England on Monday as dairy farmers continue to criticize what they say are unjust milk prices.

A survey of milk drinkers found they would be willing to pay £1.28 for four pints of milk. Supermarket prices range from 89p to £1.

A Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs spokesman said: ‘We maintain a regular dialogue with farming unions and industry.

“Some of the UK’s major retailers are engaged in driving prices paid to farmers to such low levels that their ability to survive is in severe jeopardy”.

The protests started when milk processors Arla, First Milk and Gloucestershire based Dairy Crest said they would cut the price they pay farmers.

The meeting comes as the NFU’s former chief economist said it was “unrealistic” for farmers to believe they can be paid “whatever price they think is needed”. We have also had discussions with Morrisons about how it can introduce further initiatives to support dairy, including cheese, butter and yoghurt.