WI launches milk debate
The WI's Great Milk Debate was launched nationally this week, with Shropshire's big night next Monday at the West Mid showground. The WI's Great Milk Debate was launched nationally this week, with Shropshire's big night next Monday at the West Mid showground, writes Shirley Tart at the WI's annual council meeting. Not surprisingly, yesterday it was the hot topic at the Shropshire federation's annual council meeting, which was held in Shrewsbury. County chairman Rosemary Hamilton told delegates from across the county: "This is our chance to show the dairy farmers that we do care." Read the full story in today's Shropshire Star
Not surprisingly, yesterday it was the hot topic at the Shropshire federation's annual council meeting, which was held in Shrewsbury.
County chairman Rosemary Hamilton told delegates from across the county: "This is our chance to show the dairy farmers that we do care."
Adrian Joynt - who is in the dairy farming business at Walford College - said the likes of Marks & Spencer and Waitrose had supported the industry for a long time, paying producers a decent price.
Now Tesco, the supermarket where most of us shop, has announced greatly improved prices to suppliers.
But Mr Joynt appealed to members to "go out there into smaller shops and stores and ask whether they are paying us a sustainable price".
She said: "Nobody in the dairy farming industry wants the consumer to pay more. What you do pay, leaves plenty for everyone."
The difference, of course, is how the cost per litre is split and increasingly, in many cases the retailer takes the biggest bite out of the cherry.
In support, West Mid Show chairman David Tudor said the rural dilemma extended even farther than the dairy farming debate.
He told WI conference members: "The whole issue of locally produced food, rather than always having to go for strawberries from Spain and that sort of thing, is where our farmers and producers also need your support."
Coach loads of members are expected at next week's big meeting to back an industry where one dairy farmer a day is currently going out of business.
Meanwhile members heard yesterday that if the nation's unpaid carers withdrew their services it would cost the Government £57 billion to provide the equivalent support.
Tricia Miller declared that she was "passionate about carers".
She said that having been one herself, she understood what caring meant and involved.
The carers co-ordinator with the Community Council of Shropshire, Tricia said: "For some people it is at least 100 hours a week, 365 days a year.
"We support carers of all ages whose lives are restricted because they are looking after a family member, partner or neighbour who can't manage for themselves.
"Out of a 287,000 population in Shropshire, more than 30,000 have admitted they are carers - many don't so we can't even be in touch with them."
She encouraged WI members to actively seek out those in local areas who might need help and support.
"We are in touch with people who had never had a break and who need to feel valued.
"Even in situations where the person needing care doesn't want anyone else in the house to help, we can offer them coping strategies.
"So while we can't change the situation, we can often help people to cope better," she said.
"We have helpful leaflets, we have a web site but most of all, we offer a lot of TLC," Tricia added.
