Cumbria NFU chief welcomes milk deal for dairy farmers

By Anna Burdett

Last updated at 12:49, Tuesday, 24 July 2012

All dairy processors have finally agreed to sign up to a code of practice that it is hoped will increase the price paid to Cumbrian farmers for their milk.

Alan Dickinson

The county’s NFU chairman Alan Dickinson welcomed news that agreement had been reached saying he was ‘hopeful rather than confident’ farmers would get a better deal soon.

No fine detail was released by Defra following farming minister Jim Paice’s meeting with dairy processors on Monday.

But it was confirmed that Arla, one of the country’s biggest processors, had finally fallen into line and agreed the main points.

Full agreement will be reached by the end of the month but for now the principle of freely negotiated fairer and more transparent contracts has been agreed.

It means farmers will be able to negotiate contracts covering issues including pricing, notice periods and the ability to leave contracts more easily if they are unhappy with the price they receive.

Speaking at the Royal Welsh Show where the agreement was reached, Mr Paice said: “I welcome the commitment all sides have shown to reaching an agreement.

“The Government will continue to work with all parts of the industry to secure its long-term future, including promoting farmers working together in Producer Organisations.”

Tomorrow Defra Ministers will meet retailers individually to talk about increasing dairy industry sustainability.

Mr Dickinson said: “It certainly looks like it will be a lot fairer than it has been, that’s all farmers have been asking for.

“They want the visibility of profit at every level.

“I want to see a set price formula agreed. The devil might be in the detail.

“Rather than confident, I’d say I’m hopeful that this is the right direction.”

Since processors announced 4p per litre cuts in the price farmers receive for their milk, there have been nationwide protests by producers who say they are being paid less than the cost of production.

First published at 11:24, Tuesday, 24 July 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk