NFWI responds to milk price reductions

Once again, dairy farmers are in the firing line.  The bottom line is that customers expect farmers to be paid a fair price.  Price reductions announced this week, which add to those announced in recent months, erode the sustainability of the dairy industry and risk having dire consequences for farmers.  

All parts of the supply chain benefit from maintaining a profitable, productive and healthy dairy industry, yet as events this week have again shown us, the balance is wrong.

The plight of dairy farmers has been an issue of concern for WI members since a resolution urging members to do all in their power to raise public awareness of the unfair difference between the retail prices of milk and the price paid to the farmer was passed at the 2005 AGM.  Extensive work was done alongside the NFU to highlight the desperate situation facing dairy farmers at that time, and the work was relaunched in 2010 to reinvigorate interest in, what this week’s events have again shown, is an the ongoing problem.

Ruth Bond, Chair of the NFWI, said:
“We are calling on all WI members – and the general public – to get behind our farmers, and we encourage members to ask retailers to step up to the challenge and take responsibility for dairy farmer suppliers. All parts of the supply chain, retailers as well as processors have responsibilities here so we are asking everyone to shop with those retailers that we know are doing the right thing by British farmers and encourage others to engage in dialogue to stress this is a major issue for British consumers.    

“Farmers need consumers to get behind them, and we all need a sustainable supply chain, to ensure the future viability of this key industry.  Dairy farmers play a key role in the protection and preservation of the British countryside – something so many people love and enjoy – so it is essential that we offer our help in their time of need.”