Shropshire farmers warn of new milk price protests
Campaigners calling for fairer milk prices for farmers in Shropshire today warned of more protests if negotiations with dairy companies fail.
Farmers For Action say it has given companies until September 1 to respond to calls for better prices.
It has also warned that farmers could struggle to survive through the winter unless changes are made.
Last week members of a milk partnership board negotiating for higher milk prices for the farmers who supply Shropshire's biggest dairy said they had positive talks with executives – but refused to confirm if prices would be rising or not.
Members of the Muller Wiseman Milk Partnership Board said discussions were ongoing following a meeting with directors from the Market Drayton-based Muller dairy.
They have also warned farmers against carrying out any direct action – such as protests outside the Muller site held last month – which they say could damage talks.
Muller Wiseman pays a standard rate of 31.5 pence per litre, with an extra penny as a production incentive, or offers a formula based contract for up to 33.27 pence per litre.
But Farmers For Action has estimated the cost of production at 33.5 pence per litre and said farmers were in an increasingly desperate situation.
Its chairman David Handley said: "We have given the companies a deadline of September 1 and if we don't hear from them then there's no point in carrying on talking to them.
"I don't think we will have one, which only leaves one thing –?more protesting.""
Roddy Catto, chairman of the Milk Partnership Board, said there was a lot of work being done to try to get a better price for suppliers.
