Dairy farmers taking milk price battle to London

Desperate dairy farmers will hold a crisis summit in London next week as they step up their fight against 'catastrophic' milk price cuts which they claim will drive many out of business.

The summit was announced last night after a joint meeting of NFU leaders from across the country demanded a reversal of milk price cuts imposed since April.

Wednesday's summit, which is still being arranged, will call for big retailers and processors to make sure farmers are given a better deal.

The NFU also wants the Government to consider regulation to make milk prices fairer.

Many farmers are already selling their milk at a loss, and Robert Wiseman Dairies, Arla Foods UK and Dairy Crest have announced further cuts of up to two pence per litre from August 1.

Rob Alderson, Shropshire NFU chairman, said the summit showed just how desperate things had become for dairy farmers.

He said he was 'deeply disappointed' by the approach of the supermarkets and big milk buyers and their 'lack of realism' in the prices they were offering to pay.

He said farmers had been trying to get milk prices that reflected the cost of production, but they were not being listened to.

A joint NFU statement said: "The catastrophic cuts will drive farmers out of the dairy industry and we are united in our demand for an immediate reversal of recent and planned cuts.

"There has been an unprecedented outcry of anger and frustration among farmers. We want to harness that strength of feeling and bring together farmers from across the UK to express their feelings in London next week.

"Farmers have told us they will do whatever it takes to stand up against these cuts – Wednesday's summit gives us that chance."

"There is a window of opportunity between now and August 1 to progress a robust voluntary code of practice, however, we will also be exploring a regulatory solution from government."