WI to host milk price debate
The Women's Institute has weighed into the row which is dogging the dairy industry by kicking off a campaign to get better milk prices for farmers. The Women's Institute has weighed into the row which is dogging the dairy industry by kicking off a campaign to get better milk prices for farmers. Joining forces with the National Farmers' Union, the WI will launch the Great Milk Debate next month by holding a host of debates up and down the country. Rosemary Hamilton, pictured, Shropshire WI chairman, said dairy farmers were being treated disgracefully. Read the full story in the Shropshire Star
Joining forces with the National Farmers' Union, the WI will launch the Great Milk Debate next month by holding a host of debates up and down the country.
It follows comments from NFU president Peter Kendall at last month's annual conference in which he warned the dairy industry was in "meltdown" and urgent action was needed to stem the number of farmers quitting.
The WI hopes that dairy farmers, milk processors and retailers will sit down and discuss the issue with an audience of consumers to try and find a solution to the problem.
A fortnight of campaigning will begin on April 23.
Rosemary Hamilton, pictured above, Shropshire WI chairman, said dairy farmers were being treated disgracefully.
She explained: "We feel very sorry for the dairy farmers. It is a dreadful state of affairs. Two years ago it was first put forward that the farm gate milk prices were unfair.
"I don't think people realised what they actually got for their milk. I think more and more people are realising and I hope this debate will really bring to the fore the plight of farmers."
NFU deputy president Meurig Raymond is one of the confirmed speakers at the Shropshire debate which takes place on April 30 at the West Midlands Showground from 7.30pm. Rosemary added: "The event is set to be two hours long."
By Farming Correspondent Nathan Rous
