NFU applauds Milk Link price rise

The NFU has today applauded Milk Link’s move to increase its member milk price for February by 1ppl.

The price rise, which sees the farmer-owned dairy co-operative’s milk price for both manufacturing and liquid increase to 26ppl, has been heralded as an encouraging move by NFU dairy board chairman Mansel Raymond.

"At last, Milk Link is the first buyer to announce any meaningful price increase since last year, and farmers will be encouraged by this.

"Let’s be clear though – we see this as just the start. Milk Link should be applauded for being the first off the starting blocks this year, but this price rise is long overdue, and the continued strength in dairy markets means that further increases need to follow urgently. With the cost of production increasing substantially, it is imperative that all milk buyers follow Milk Link’s lead by February 1.

"However, milk buyers shouldn’t be fooled into thinking that farmers will be satisfied with simply being awarded with points of a penny here and there. After having been deprived of a fair market price for their milk since last spring there is a lot of catching up to do. Milk Link has at least now got a head start in the race."