You are in:  Women's Institute > About the WI > NFWI-Wales > Farmgate milk prices >

Farmgate milk prices

Marylyn Haines Evans, Gareth Vaughan and Eifion Hughes at the launch of the campaign
On 23 July 2006 we held a joint press conference with the Farmers Union of Wales (FUW) to launch a campaign urging the former Prime Minister Tony Blair to take immediate action to save the British dairy industry.

The press conference highlighting the problems facing dairy farmers was addressed by Marylyn Haines Evans, Chair of the Federations of Wales, Gareth Vaughan, President of the FUW and Eifion Huws, FUW Vice-President.

Marylyn Haines Evans spoke about the work of the WI in campaigning for better food and farming. She said that members recognise the positive contribution of dairy farmers to the environment and their communities and wanted to ensure that dairy farmers did not go out of business as this would have a devasting affect on the environment and rural communities. 

“WI members have noticed many changes to the communities over the years as dairy farmers have gone bankrupt. Dairy farmers help to support the local infrastructure by employing local people, shopping at local shops, using local banks and post offices and sending their children to local schools”

The Great Milk Debate

Great Milk Debate in Cowbridge Town Hall
Federations organised Great Milk Debates between 23 April and 4 May 2007 which brought together dairy farmers, milk processors and retailers to debate the future of the British dairy industry.

We launched a report of the debates at the NFU Stand at the Royal Welsh Show on 25 July 2007. The report details feedback from over 15,000 people who took part in 100 debates across Wales and England.