NFU welcomes first milk report on the real price of milk

The NFU has commended the co-operative First Milk for the publication today (Mon) of its report called The Real Price of Milk.

The report, prepared by Promar International, details the cost increases incurred by dairy farmers in recent months as a result of dramatic rises in input and labour costs and examines the impact that further developments are likely to have on dairy farm profitability over the next year. It argues that farmers should be paid the equivalent of 29.64 pence per litre for the milk. The majority currently receive between 25p and 26p per litre.

NFU Dairy Board chairman Gwyn Jones applauded First Milk for taking the initiative in publishing the report. He said: "It could not have been better timed with speculation building about milk prices going into the spring. In addition, many dairy farmers have yet to count the full cost of producing milk with fertiliser and feed prices having gone into orbit. This report shows authoritatively just what is going on and makes sobering reading.