Positive talks in fight for milk price increase
Campaigners negotiating for higher milk prices for the farmers who supply Shropshire's biggest dairy say they have had "very positive talks" with executives – but refused to confirm if prices would be rising or not.
Members of the Müller Wiseman Milk Partnership Board, which is acting for farmers, said discussions were ongoing about securing a better deal for milk suppliers 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 dairy held last month – which they say could damage talks.
Müller 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 33.27ppl. But the Farmers For Action (FFA) campaign group has estimated the cost of production at 33.5ppl and said farmers were in an increasingly desperate situation.
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.
Mr Catto, speaking following the latest meeting with Muller Wiseman directors, said: "The company was made fully aware of the position and is determined to maintain a competitive milk price.
"Discussions and dialogue are continuing, we are looking at market indicators and other options to further improve members' prices.
"We are very keen to get a milk price movement, a number of things are being watched.
"I'm not going to say there is going to be an increase or not, the moment there is something to report we will do so.
"It was a positive meeting. We are watching what the competition is doing and trying to do other things to try to get a better return for our members."
Last month members of FFA said progress was too slow and it could affect the future of the dairy industry. They held a protest outside the company's dairy off the A53 in July and called for more immediate action to help farmers try to make a profit.
But Mr Catto warned the group that any direct action "wouldn't be very fruitful".
