Muller Dairy's defence over milk prices dismissed

Almost 50 farmers protested at the company's base in Market Drayton, claiming a recent letter from chief executive Ronald Kers was "not good enough".

Before the protest began on Thursday evening, Mr Kers sent a letter to farmers arguing the company has continued to pay above the market average for milk during the downturn.

He said farmers will ultimately receive higher prices, adding: "The fact dairy markets are improving is very welcome news for is all. This will translate into higher milk prices. However the timing is dependent on when we actually realise these higher returns within our business."

MORE: 'We are committed to paying a fair price': Read Muller boss' open letter to Shropshire farmers

However, farmers went ahead with the peaceful protest to voice their concerns that the rising market price of dairy products is not being passed on to producers.

Police attended the protest and a sign was posted outside Muller's gates warning protesters of "legal action" if the blockade was not stopped.

Chief Inspector Jennifer Mattinson, for West Mercia Police, said: "We were notified in advance of the farmers' intention to hold a protest at Muller Wiseman at Market Drayton as part of an ongoing dispute with the dairy.

The protest was peaceful and no action was required."

Rob Morgan, from Woodend Hall Farm in Coton, near Whitchurch, said farmers cannot continue to wait for an increase. He said: "We have been screwed to the floor for the last 18 months and many dairy farmers have gone out of business.

"We need to see the increase in prices now, it is not fair to keep paying low prices for milk even though the market is improving. We just want a sit-down talk with Muller. Until they listen to us we will protest again. We have nothing to lose."

Farmers with tractors met at the Market Drayton Livestock Market in Adderley Road before driving to the Muller Dairy in nearby Shrewsbury Road.

The protest, organised by Farmers For Action, came after Muller announced it would not be changing its milk prices for September. The dairy firm says those protesting do not represent the farmers supplying milk to their business and that the business had maintained a "competitive and stable milk price" throughout the market downturn.

But Shropshire farmers claim the low price of milk, paid from other companies as well as Muller, is a national issue that will put farms out of business.

Josh Lutner, a dairy farmer from Hinstock, near Market Drayton, turned up at the protest dressed as a cow to try and get his views heard. He said: "The prices are still not fair even though the market has increased.

You have to live a bare minimum and we are not even being paid to sustain that. It is not fair and something has to change."