MORE than 150 farmers from across the North West attended a dairy crisis meeting at J36 Rural Auction Centre, last night (Thursday) to hear a commitment from agricultural industry leaders that they would continue striving to achieve improved prices for milk producers.

Speakers were Rob Harrison, chairman of the NFU Dairy Board; David Handley, chairman of Farmers for Action; Stephen Wyrill, chairman of the Tenant Farmers' Association; and Ian Macalpine, chairman of the Royal Association of Dairy Farmers.

They explained how a lobbying 'coalition' formed by the four organisations was continuing to press for a better deal for dairy farmers, who have seen incomes plummet this year because of a global glut of milk and milk products and a supermarket price war.

All the speakers highlighted that while farmers need to continue to focus on running their own business as efficiently as possible, this needed to be underpinned by an efficient processing sector and a fair and equitable supply chain.  In the longer term it was felt that the development of strong farmer led ‘Producer Organisations’ would help the dairy supply chain operate in a fairer, more sustainable way.

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Questions from the floor included the suggestion that retailers should inform consumers how much of their shop is British produce via their receipts and lobbying for the promotion of dairy products.  The variety and complexity of dairy contracts was also discussed and there was a firm commitment from the speakers to make sure that any price commitments made by retailers find their way back to the farmers.

Afterwards the NFU's North West Dairy Board chairman Mike Gorton said: “The NFU, FFA, TFA and RABDF are all working very hard together to support the future of the British dairy industry. 

"Many farmers across the region are facing a milk price well below the cost of production and will face some tough decisions coming into the winter.  We know the general public want to support a fair return for dairy farmers and it is in everyones interest to make sure this happens, be they farmers, retailers, processors or consumers of British dairy products.”