Milk price row: Call for Shropshire dairy farmers to get a fairer deal
A Shropshire campaign group is calling for retailers and processors to ensure that dairy farmers get their "fair share" of the recent increase in milk prices.
David Handley, chairman of Farmers for Action, said higher milk prices are not being passed down to producers.
Industry officials said the news of price increases by some processors were the "green shoots of recovery" the market so desperately needed.
However, they said more needs to be done before farmers can feel any benefit.
Mr Handley said: "Milk prices on the spot market have leaped dramatically and look set to improve further.
"However, some processors and retailers are holding back from allowing fairer returns to dairy farmers and that is unacceptable.
"Farmers are told constantly to work within the supply chain and that they must allow it to operate efficiently.
"We now need to see these words turned into real actions."
Mr Handley said unless there is urgent change they will have no option but to take the protest "to the doors of those retailers and processors who are most to blame".
A string of protests have been held at Market Drayton-based dairy giant Muller in previous years due to falling milk prices.
Mr Handley added: "We are calling for retailers and processors to act without delay to ensure fairer returns to dairy farmers at this time."
NFU board chairman Michael Oakes said the outlook in the dairy sector is looking a little brighter – but that it is critical farmers see improved returns and that money is not stuck in the supply chain.
He said despite a number of milk price increase announcements for July and August, prices remain far below sustainable levels on farm.
Mr Oakes said: "It's been the longest and deepest crisis anyone in the dairy sector can remember and clearly current farm gate prices are not sustainable.
"It's still early days but from what we're seeing on the futures markets, it's looking like things could be on the cusp of improving.
"With the cream prices rising, we should be seeing milk prices improve across the board and in that respect it was disappointing to see Muller hold the milk price for August. There are clearly delays which just don't make sense.
"However, we must remain cautious. It's important to stress that many farmers are receiving a low price for their milk, so despite any small increases, they will still be extremely low.
"And how quickly we get back to a sustainable level no-one knows – maybe six months or even longer. So there is still a long way to go."
