Corporate v Countryside, round two

This morning at 11.45am, hundreds of farmers and supporters are expected to protest at Morrisons as a symbolic launch to their local fight against the ‘big three’ who have collectively announced a cut to suppliers.

 

And the corporate giants should not underestimate rural Mid Wales. They only have to ask energy giants hoping to build new windfarms, a power station and associated pylons and cabling just what sort of resistance they can expect.

 

These latest price cuts, the third this year, will come into effect on August 1 and are expected to cost the Welsh Dairy Industry an estimated £80m per annum, placing many local businesses in trouble.

 

Before this morning’s protest, MP Glyn Davies will listen to concerns at a meeting organised for the Livestock Market at 10.30am. Initially, Mr Davies said he expected to meet half a dozen farmers but says hundreds could now show up.

 

NFU Cymru Montgomeryshire Vice-Chairman Jonathan Wilkinson said: “Never has there been a more critical time for the dairy sector. I urge as many members as possible to attend and impress on our local MP the need for a robust code of practice and fair contracts for milk producers.

 

“The meeting will also serve to update NFU Cymru members what it is the Union is seeking to achieve and the timetable that we’ve set for processors and retailers in terms of restoring the price cuts and of course the consequences of not doing so.”

 

The big three, Robert Wiseman Dairies, owned by Müller Dairies, Arla Foods UK, the UK subsidiary of Arla Foods Amba, as well as Dairy Crest, announced cuts to their milk prices paid to farmers of 1.7ppl, 2.0ppl and 1.65ppl respectively. They blame the pressure placed by supermarkets for cheaper milk on the shelf.

 

Dozens of local farmers joined a national protest in London last Wednesday.