Angry milk producers demand a fair price (From Warrington Guardian)

Angry milk producers demand a fair price

CHESHIRE farmers are still suffering because they are not getting a fair price for their produce despite a promised increase.

The Milk Development Council revealed that a March increase of 3.5p in the price that retailers pay for a litre of milk has not been filtered down to farmers as promised.

According to the National Farmers Union (NFU), recent increases in the retail price of fresh milk were due to the escalating costs of producing milk on farms.

But research requested from the Milk Development Council by NFU has revealed most farmers have received 10 per cent or less of the extra revenue.

Phil Smallwood, of Greenheyes Farm in Stanthorne, says he has not noticed any financial benefit from the price increases.

He said: "It's not materialised as far as I can see. There was a price increase last autumn but that has been pretty much clawed back.

"I certainly haven't seen any of the money that has come from the price increase earlier this year."

He added: "Most dairy farmers are breaking even or even running at a loss and that is country wide, but the processing companies are blaming the supermarkets and vice versa.

"Milk should really be priced at 25p a litre to the farmer but in reality we are getting 17 or 18p at the most."

Dairy farmers have taken up direct action at milk processors and supermarket warehouses across the country and say that the current situation is forcing farmers out of business.

The most recent protest took place at Tesco warehouse, in Pochin Way, Middlewich, on Thursday night, when a group of activists, believed to be from Farmers For Action, set up outside the supermarket between 9pm and midnight.

As the Guardian went to press last night, Tuesday, Farmers For Action was unavailable for comment.