'First Milk announcement is step in the right direction', says NFU Cymru

Today’s announcement by Tesco and First Milk, which will see First Milk producers who supply the Haverfordwest creamery receive a higher payment through Tesco’s Winter Supplement scheme has been described by NFU Cymru as a step in the right direction.

Aled Jones, NFU Cymru’s Milk Board Chairman said, “With the vast majority of milk in Wales produced for cheese NFU Cymru has long argued for dedicated supply chain relationships in the cheese sector, in a similar way to those that we have seen developed in the liquid milk sector. We hope that this is the fore-runner to a longer term dedicated relationship between Tesco, First Milk and farmers.”

For First Milk producers in west Wales who have received so many setbacks they will hope that this will be the beginning of the long road to receiving a sustainable milk price.

Mr Jones continued, “Today’s announcement is positive news for cheese processing in Wales and those farmers supplying Haverfordwest, but, it is important that First Milk recognises that not all Welsh dairy farmers, supplying the co-operative, will benefit. We have impressed on First Milk the need to ensure that they focus on the delivery of increased returns across all their product range.”