MPs’ Dairy Group Welcomes Further Milk Price Success

UK - Shrewsbury & Atcham MP Daniel Kawczynski, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Dairy Farming, is very encouraged by the second announcement in a few days of a rise in prices paid to dairy farmers for the milk they produce.

3 July 2007

2 minute read

Europe

Following last week’s price increase by Sainsbury’s, Arla Foods UK has also raised its ‘farmgate’ price paid to farmers, only a month after its last price rise.

Arla Foods, the UK’s biggest dairy company, is now paying a standard price of 20.1p per litre, a rise of 0.3p per litre, although more than half of suppliers to Arla in fact receiving a premium above this price. This follows an increase of 0.4p per litre that was introduced by Arla at the start of June.

Daniel, who chairs the All Party Parliamentary Group for Dairy Farming, whose key priority is to see farmgate milk prices rise to a sustainable level, said, “I am very pleased with what our Dairy Group has achieved so far. The price increase by Arla is the latest in a steady series of increases from the supermarkets and major dairy companies.”

He continued, “I really believe the ball is rolling now. If we can continue this trend, then there is real hope that British dairy farmers will eventually be paid enough for the milk they produce to earn a secure living. Only this will ensure that the UK dairy industry has a real, sustainable future. ”

“We will continue to push for further price increases across the industry,” he added, “as well as seeking to improve working methods and to address problems such as the prevalence of bovine tuberculosis in areas such as Shropshire.”

Arla Foods announced the price rises following a strengthening in the dairy market in the UK, in line with their pledge that farmgate prices would follow retail price increases as quickly as possible.