Dairy farmers may get Tesco aid

Supermarket giant Tesco today said it would consider extending its local milk campaign to Shropshire after coming under pressure from MP and dairy campaigner Daniel Kawczynski.

Although Tesco has set up 13 regional milk distribution centres across the country to deliver its new Localchoice milk range it does not have a base in the county.

But after meeting with the Shrewsbury MP, the company said it would investigate the opportunity.

"Supporting our local farmers is very important to me," said Mr Kawczynski, chairman of the all-party parliamentary group for dairy farming.

"So I have asked Tesco to consider adding a Shropshire variety to their Localchoice range, which their dairy category director has agreed to consider.

"This would mean that local dairy farmers could receive up to 23 pence per litre for the milk they produce, which is one of the highest prices paid to producers anywhere in the UK."

Localchoice milk was launched to great acclaim this week with Tesco linking up with Dairy Farmers of Britain to offer shoppers milk which is sourced from farms in or near to their county.

It will be available alongside standard milk, but at a slightly higher price - which means smaller local producers can make returns more in line with the proportionally higher cost of running their business.

Tesco is also paying a premium to these farmers which equates to around 23 pence per litre.

However, critics have demanded longer contracts for farmers.

Kari Daniels, chilled food category director for Tesco, said: "Many of our customers have told us they want us to make it easier for them to be able to buy food which is genuinely local to their area.

"Localchoice will not only reduce food miles but will also provide confidence to shoppers that if they buy a local product, they are helping their local economy and local suppliers.

"This milk does cost a bit more than our standard milk but shoppers will know that small and family farmers local to them are directly benefiting from this extra income."

David Potts, for Dairy Farmers of Britain added: "Consumers can support small and family-owned farms from their region through purchasing Localchoice milk."