Milking it: Following widespread protests, dairy farmers to hold summit over

Two cows were taken into a supermarket in Staffordshire as part of a protest by farmers in a bid to raise awareness of the situation this weekend.

The supermarket in Uttoxeter, was targeted, today by dairy farmers protesting against falling milk prices.

The announcement comes on the back of a turbulent week for the retailer, which has borne the brunt of farmer protests over a collapse in farmgate and retail prices for milk with a wave of “milk trolley challenges” – where farmers cleared milk aisles and gave away milk to shoppers.

Farmers estimate that it costs between 30 to 32p to produce each litre of milk, meaning they are losing almost 10p per litre.

The milk price the farmer receives has fallen 26% while four pints of milk have only fallen by 7% in the supermarkets.

The study involved 1,270 milk drinkers and was carried out by market research organisation Mintel in June.

‘A recent survey found that more than half of customers said they would be willing to do so’.

China is consuming less dairy than anticipated and there is a current price war going on between established supermarkets and the discounters.

In a release posted on the Farmer for Action website, Mr Handley said: “Morrisons are to meet within industry leaders on Tuesday of next week to discuss the serious issue facing British dairy farmers”.

National Farmers Union president Meurig Raymond and Rob Harrison, chairman of the NFU dairy board, joined campaign group Farmers For Action at a meeting with Morrisons in Birmingham.

Farming unions are calling for the four UK farming ministers to hold a joint meeting with them to find solutions to the raft of problems facing the agricultural industry. “We want to make it more transparent for our farmers”.

Supermarkets have been the targets of farmers’ frustration in the raging dairy crisis.

“Following a majority vote, our Dairy Group farmers benefit from a cost of production model – this sets a price that directly reflects their costs on the farm, building in a profit, as well as rewarding outstanding animal welfare and environmental standards”.

“It’s not a lack of effort or determination on Arla’s part; we are doing everything possible to help our farmer owners to navigate through this increasingly tough situation, in the best possible way”.

“We have also had discussions with Morrisons about how it can introduce further initiatives to support dairy, including cheese, butter and yoghurt”.

“Also other sectors of the industry were discussed, obviously lamb is a major issue at the moment but Morrisons are we believe exemplary in the way they purchase British lamb, 365 days of the year”.

The new milk product, which has been named Morrisons Milk For Farmers, has been launched in conjunction with Arla, Britain’s biggest provider of milk.

A spokesman for the supermarket said they are aware that many dairy farmers are experiencing “difficult conditions” and maintained they are not seeking any further reductions in milk prices. We are saying there is such a margin between the farm gate price and the price retailers are charging customers.