Warning of further protest by dairy farmers
A farming campaign group has warned the Government of a further mass protest on London unless milk prices continue to increase.
David Handley, chairman of Farmers For Action, has called on the Government to intervene in the dairy supply chain and make sure farmers are benefitting from money made at the top.
Last year more than 2,500 farmers and supporters, including many from Shropshire and Mid Wales, marched for their industry on the streets of London.
The protest, organised by FFA, saw the group present a letter of concern to David Cameron at Number 10 Downing Street.
Mr Handley said: "Dairy farmers are currently on a knife edge whether large or small.
"Commentators are trying to talk the price down, Yes, markets have eased, yes there is a problem with powder in store in Europe.
"Those working in the health sector are all shouting about the benefits to the diet of dairy products.
"All that needs to happen is for this Government and the Grocery Code Adjudicator to grab hold of the dairy supply chain and rattle it so hard that the pennies at the top fall to where they belong, at the bottom.
"Therefore FFA’s challenge to the retailers and processors is sort it!
"As for the Government, we came to London last March. If this is not addressed and price cuts do arise, believe you me, we will be back with many thousands more angry and desperate farmers."
Earlier this year Market Drayton-based Muller announced it was increasing prices by 1.25ppl from February 1.
The move built on a 2.5ppl January milk price increase and came on the back of a recovery in the global value of dairy produce.
Non-aligned farmers are continuing to benefit from a separate additional retail supplement estimated at 0.82ppl from February.
When added to the standard litre price of 26.69ppl, this leads to an actual price paid for milk supply of 27.51ppl.
Despite an increase in milk prices over the last few months, including from other milk processors, Mr Handley believes they are still not at the level they should be.
At the start of the year he said the outlook for farmers in 2017 looked more positive than 2016 did 12 months ago. But he warned more farmers could continue to walk away from the dairy industry, especially those on non-aligned contracts, if milk prices do not increase significantly.
