Dairy farmers in new milk protest
A milk processing plant was blockaded by angry farmers fighting to get a better income.
Farmers say the decreasing prices they are getting for their milk is threatening the future of British dairy farming.
On Wednesday night, about 300 farmers from around the region blocked the roads outside the Arla Foods factory in Ashby, closing it for more than five hours.
Andrew Hemming, a spokesman for Farmers for Action, which organised Wednesday's blockade, said: "We shut the plant down from 6.45pm on Wednesday and we kept it shut until 12.15am.
Cheap Van Insurance(Commercial & Private Use) - Contact Insure365...
View detailsCheap Van Insurance(Commercial & Private Use) - Contact Insure365 01782 898188. Free Legal Protection Included Valued at £25.00
Terms: 1 Voucher Per Customer
Contact: 01782 898188
Valid until: Friday, June 21 2013
"We were invited to a conference call with the chairman of Arla and there was a long discussion. There is progress being made."
Dairy farmers saw the price they receive for a litre of milk slashed from 28p to 26p in the spring. The price was due to drop by another 2p earlier this month.
Protests succeeded in forcing the major milk processors to abandon the August cut but the farmers' campaign has continued.
When the dairy farmers had their first price cut in the spring there was relatively little objection – but it was the threatened price cut in August that prompted the action.
Now the farmers will not give up their campaign until prices rise.
Mr Hemming said: "They thought that if we were willing to let them cut the price by 2p in the spring without a fight they could do it again. But they were wrong.
"They have rescinded the August price cut but we still want the spring cut reversed. We would normally agree feed prices for the year in September but it's looking like it's going to be hard to agree a price with suppliers because they don't know where feed prices will be when the US drought has its knock-on effect.
"Everything points to prices going higher."
Brian Dalby, who farms near Lutterworth, has been involved in recent protests.
He said: "We still need a price increase and we want it by September.
"We may have stopped the price increase in August but 26p a litre isn't enough for us to make a living.
"The price needs to rise back to 28p and beyond if we want to have a sustainable dairy industry in this country."
Arla foods, which owns the Ashby plant, declined to comment.
Comments
by prog_rock_fan
Saturday, August 18 2012, 9:01PM
“A 'Well done' for the farmers in their fight for fair prices.”
by Eastonian
Saturday, August 18 2012, 8:17AM
“Can't have folk boycotting supermarkets they'd be lost not having their weekly ritual!!”
by Elaine1971
Saturday, August 18 2012, 5:31AM
“Well said, Georgeisafish. :o)
I'm guessing the negative voters don't use farm shops for their fresh produce. I buy most of mine from Cook's at Newtown Linford, or Manor Farm in Long Whatton. I only use the supermarkets for stuff the farm shops don't stock...”
by georgeisafish
Friday, August 17 2012, 8:00PM
“farms in the area also sell egg, too ! at a better price than tesco etc. go on, red arrow me,too!”
by Elaine1971
Friday, August 17 2012, 5:07PM
“Instead of the negative ratings why don't you all do something positive, and add other places where we can buy milk that gives the farmers a good price? :o)”
by Elaine1971
Friday, August 17 2012, 4:05PM
“WHAT?! It's simply somewhere that you can buy milk and support the farm at the same time. Which is actually quite a rarity nowadays!
Some people really do read too much into things...”
by LikeItaLot
Friday, August 17 2012, 2:48PM
“Another advert parading as a comment.”
by Elaine1971
Friday, August 17 2012, 11:39AM
“Lubcloud Farm & Dairy at Oaks in Charnwood (near Shepshed) is a really good place to buy milk, cream & yogurt that actually supports the farmer. They process their milk products at their own on-site dairy, then sell them in the fridge in the farm's front porch (as well as at other stockists in the East Midlands). See their website for more details... http://tinyurl.com/blu3bl8”