Rising food prices sow hope for farmers

Fifth generation dairy farmer James Furness is savouring an unusual feeling - optimism.

After years of low prices that did not cover his costs, the milk he produces from his 160-strong herd of cows in the heart of the Peak District now fetches 26 pence per litre.

This is eight pence more than a year ago and almost double what it fetched in 2001 when things were at their worst.

"Back then, my wife had to work full time even though our daughter was very young," he says.

"We lived off her wages."

Encouragement

Rising food prices are source of concern for consumers as the cost of their weekly shop mounts and politicians worldwide fear that food shortages could spark unrest.

But with the era of cheap food coming to a close, the UK's farmers are hoping that power will shift away from the supermarkets and give them a better position at the negotiating table.