11 July 2012

2 minute read

Europe

Farmers from England and Wales, as well as representatives from Scotland and Northern Ireland, will join NFU President Peter Kendall and Agriculture Minister Jim Paice to come up with a plan of action following recent and proposed drastic cuts which will result in the average dairy farmer making an annual loss of £40,000.

Today’s public meeting, at Central Hall Westminster, in Storey’s Gate, will give the entire industry the chance to rally together and decide on a plan of action over the latest round of cuts due to come into force on 1 August.

NFU dairy chairman Mansel Raymond said: “We are expecting a large number of dairy farmers, travelling from all across the country, to vent their anger over these cuts which threaten the very future of the dairy sector.

“Today’s meeting, which is one of the biggest crisis meetings in the NFU’s history, will give the industry a chance to share their concerns and commit to work together to prevent the demise of the British dairy industry.

“The strength of feeling is immense – farmers realise that this is a fight for survival, not only long term, but for many to survive this winter.”

New research from the NFU reveals that 62 per cent of the British public would pay an extra five pence per pint of milk to ensure dairy farmers received a fair price.

In the last two weeks Robert Wiseman Dairies, owned by Müller Dairies, Arla Foods UK, the UK subsidiary of Arla Foods Amba, as well as Dairy Crest, announced cuts to their milk prices paid to farmers as of August 1 of 1.7ppl, 2.0ppl and 1.65ppl respectively, following further significant cuts in recent months.

Today’s public meeting at Central Hall, Westminster will be streamed live from 1pm on the NFU website here.

TheCattleSite News Desk