Milk production hits 37-year low

Milk supplies could be at risk after milk production reached a 37-year low, NFU Scotland has warned.

Milk production fell to 13.2bn litres between April 2007 and March 2008, according to figures released by the Rural Payments Agency.

The drop of 0.9bn litres on the same period the previous year took UK milk production to its lowest level since 1971.

As cheese and milk consumption has increased by 3% over the past 12 months, NFUS warned milk buyers and processors needed to "wake up" and realise supplies were not guaranteed.

Willie Lamont, NFUS Milk Committee chairman, said shortage of British dairy products was a "real threat" unless steps were taken to encourage increased milk production.