Call for action on milk price
PUBLISHED: 12:08 05 June 2009 | UPDATED: 08:32 28 March 2014
JUNE 5, 2009: Farming leaders from across the dairy industry have issued a call to retailers and the food service sector to take steps to secure the future of British supply.
The industry-wide group says that everyone in the milk supply chain needs to make a fair profit and calls for retailers to stop gambling with security of milk supply. The letter asks for three commitments from the industry's biggest customers:
* Commitment to sourcing British dairy products.
* Transparent and stable pricing mechanisms for liquid milk and cheese suppliers that offer producers a sustainable milk price.
* Promotion of the Red Tractor on all own label, British dairy products.
The letter states: "Our message is very simple. If you want to guarantee a supply of quality British milk, cheese and dairy products you must take steps to secure it."
NFU Dairy Board Chairman Gwyn Jones said: "As British milk supply continues to fall, consumers are increasingly denied the opportunity of choice they deserve to purchase British dairy products; products which are produced to the highest welfare and environmental standards in the world.
"Consumers are paying a fair price for British dairy products but that money is not distributed fairly down the supply chain. The difference between profit and loss for dairy farmers in this country is a small fraction of the overall margin on milk and dairy products, which could easily be afforded."