Farmers continue milk protests as further cuts made

Michael Sadwick, who led one protest in Bude, described Morrisons as "one of the main culprits we've been told to target".
Michael Sadwick, who led one protest in Bude, described Morrisons as "one of the main culprits we've been told to target".

Farmers are continuing their protests in supermarkets around the UK over the prices they are paid for milk after another price cut was announced by First Milk to its members.

The farmers argue the prices they are paid for their milk is far too low. Michael Sadwick, who led one protest in Bude, described Morrisons as "one of the main culprits we've been told to target".

"We cleared the lot and yeah they're left with none now, so it's mission accomplished for us," he said. "Hopefully, the message will get back to their buyers that, you know, they need to support us."

Nick Thompson, who took part in the protest, said: "We just filled up the trolleys and walked to the checkout with them and then said we were leaving them there in protest at the unfair price supermarkets are paying for milk."

"We had a meeting on Monday night with around 60-odd people there from right across South Gloucestershire.

"We wanted to protest, but we didn't want to block the roads or do anything that might really annoy the public, but we wanted to get our message across.

"We decided this is the best way. In all the supermarkets the support we received from the public was great, but the staff were just shocked.

"People were standing there filming us on their phones.

"We lay down the challenge to other farmers' groups across the country to do better than we've done - can they empty the shelves in the quickest time.

"We actually failed in Tesco, there was too much milk and not enough of us, so that is the challenge - can any group empty the shelves in Tesco? We're going to keep doing this protest until supermarkets realise they have to start paying farmers a fair price for their milk."

First Milk

Suppliers were told the news late last Friday that their price for August 1 was being reduced.

NFU dairy board vice chairman Michael Oakes said: “Two years ago First Milk signed up to the Voluntary Code of Conduct on contracts in which they agreed to give at least 30 days’ notice of a price cut. In June they announced that they would no longer be giving this notice – but announcing a price cut the evening before it comes into force is totally unacceptable.

“What we need now, in such a period of market uncertainty, is trust, transparency and good communication from milk buyers to farmers – this is what the Voluntary Code was trying to achieve.

We understand the difficulties facing First Milk and other milk buyers, but our dairy farmers deserve and expect support and honesty during this market downturn, so I would urge all milk buyers to increase communication with their suppliers.”

The NFU said it will continue its dialogue with First Milk to seek clarity on their long term plan announced in May.

'Urgent summit'

The UK farming unions are to stage an urgent summit to discuss the problems facing the industry and particularly the crisis in the livestock and dairy sectors where many farmers are facing financial devastation. This follows falling prices which has seen many farmers getting paid less than the cost of production.

Falling milk and lamb prices have left many farmers desperately worried about their future. In recent weeks there have been convoys of tractors carrying out rolling roadblocks on the A50 in Staffordshire and Derbyshire while hundreds of farmers have been demonstrating outside retailers’ depots and supermarkets.

NFU President Meurig Raymond said: “The situation many of our members are experiencing has become a crisis. In dairy, many milk producers have seen price cut after price cut. It’s simply not sustainable for any farmer to continue to produce milk if they’re selling it at a loss. The plight of many farmers has become desperately serious and with no sign that things will improve, we really need urgent action from retailers, the food service sector and processors to show commitment to British dairy farmers. I also want to see Government agencies doing more to support the public procurement of British food.

“For many lamb producers too, they need evidence that supermarkets will back British farming and give British lamb pride of place on the supermarket shelves. British lamb is in its prime right now and I, personally, find it very concerning that some retailers are continuing to promote New Zealand lamb when we have prime lamb, in season, on our doorstep.

“Now, during this crisis in our industry, is the time for a united front, so it’s important the UK farming unions stand together to call for a commitment to back British farming.”

Stephen James, NFU Cymru President, said: “Let there be no doubt over the seriousness of the situation and as the UK unions we are looking for action to help alleviate the dire situation. By coming together and working as one I hope we can co-ordinate activity on several key action points which will not only benefit Welsh farmers but farmers from across the UK.”

NFU Scotland President Allan Bowie said: “Our farming members are expressing real concern in Scotland at the desperate plight many of their businesses are facing due to the severe financial pressures imposed by those throughout the supply chain which has been ongoing for a number of months.

“This is obviously not sustainable for these businesses and ultimately going out of business is not an option. There needs to be a clear understanding from all of those involved that something has to change. For Scotland, it’s not just dairy or the lamb markets that are affected, all commodities are feeling it. Coupled with the ongoing adverse weather we can see the significant pressure that businesses are under.

“We obviously have a UK-wide problem here and collectively the unions need to come up with answers for the benefit of our members but also importantly, the future of the industry.

“We know farmers are demonstrating elsewhere in the UK and we understand their concerns. It might not be long before Scottish farmers start to take action themselves.”

Ian Marshall, Ulster Farmers Union President, said: “This is a multi-factorial problem across the entire industry both sectorally and geographically for which there is no single solution. But it is essential that everyone in Government and the supply chain plays their part in helping to urgently address these genuine and serious difficulties. The understandable frustration of farmers is starting to spill over into actions that no one wants.”