Local farmers join London rally

Local dairy farmers were amongst over 2,500 milk producers who converged on London today (Wednesday) to take part in crisis talks on how to tackle milk price cuts which threaten the very future of the entire industry not just in Wales but across the UK as a whole.

Farmers from Wales joined those from England, Scotland and Northern Ireland to give vent to their deep frustration and anger following the latest round of milk price cuts which will leave a shortfall in realisations, costing the Welsh Dairy Industry an estimated £80m per annum.

Meurig Raymond, Deputy President of the NFU addressed the Summit as part of a coalition of dairy representatives – NFU Scotland, FFA, RABDF, the TFA and with Stephen James, Deputy President, himself a milk producer, representing NFU Cymru.

In an impassioned plea to Westminster Agriculture Minister, Jim Paice, Meurig said: “Minister we need your help – we are here because the Country needs us but they don’t realise what we are being put through by a market place that doesn’t work and isn’t fair.

“For a permanent fix – it needs a long-term solution for recurring problems, of imbalance of power and inequality of supply in the dairy marketing chain.”

 
Ken Skates AM, representing Welsh Government Deputy Minister, Alun Davies, at the Summit, said: “On top of the allied industries reliant on the dairy sector in Wales there are 7,500 directly employed in the industry. In the event of a voluntary approach failing Welsh Government would not hesitate to bring forward legislation to introduce the EU package of proposals, though this is not our chosen route of action. Welsh Government will work with you to ensure a strong future.”

 

Ed Bailey, President NFU Cymru, applauded this commitment by Welsh Government and said: “I am pleased and relieved that the Deputy Minister, in his statement this morning, has grasped the gravity of the situation and his statement, in my view, firmly signals to milk processors that either they trade with us fairly as producers or they will be brought to book. The ball is firmly in their court.”

Aled Jones, Chairman NFU Cymru milk Board, added: “Dairy farmers have been pushed to the brink, revoking the price cuts proposed for 1st August would not be sufficient to restore producers’ confidence and nothing less than a firm commitment to sustainable supply contracts would suffice.”