Dairy coalition renews challenge to milk buyers (From Salisbury Journal)
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Dairy coalition renews challenge to milk buyers
3:31pm Wednesday 29th August 2012 in Rural Focus By Anne Connon
Mansel Raymond
MEMBERS of the Dairy Coalition last week renewed their challenge to milk buyers to urgently reverse the price cuts implemented in May and June.
In a joint statement from the coalition, comprising the NFU, Farmers for Action, the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers, the Women’s Food and Farming Union and the Tenant Farmers’ Association, NFU dairy board chairman Mansel Raymond said there are positive signs in the strengthening of global and domestic dairy markets as a result of global supply tightening.
Mr Raymond said: “There are some signs of improvement in the global market that would justify price increases. What’s more, it’s clear from recent media reporting of drought in America that farmers’ costs are rising significantly.
The price cuts made in May and June are still hurting. Farmers need to see that money back into their businesses now.
“Milk buyers do have the opportunity before Livestock 2012 (incorporating the Dairy Event) to detail how they plan to give farmers the financial oxygen their businesses so desperately need.”
“I firmly believe dairy farmers have the opportunity to bring about change in the supply chain.
“The Coalition is calling on farmers to add their contact details to a database, to allow us to discuss and potentially build producer organisations.
“This will help to give farmers more strength and power to negotiate in what is a very tough and competitive marketplace.”
Information on producer organisations will be available for farmers at the dairy event from Coalition members and there will be the opportunity to sign up to the database.
n Livestock 2012 takes place on Tuesday and Wednesday next week, September 4 and 5, at the NEC in Birmingham.
