20/01/2015

Govt Urged To 'Do More' For Dairy Farmers

Dairy farmers need more protection from the government following a fall in milk prices, a committee of MPs said.

A report by the Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, dairy farmers are being "forced out of business" by factors outside their control, while calling for the remit of the groceries watchdog to be extended to also cover dairy suppliers.

The report claims that milk prices are being pressurised by rising supply and falling demand.

The report states: "While there is no single solution to the problems created by these rapid changes in milk prices, it is incumbent on the Government, and Defra in particular, to promote UK dairy produce domestically and in growing export markets. Action to encourage the spread of Producer Organisations, a review of the EU intervention price for milk and clearer regulation on the labelling of dairy products could all assist a struggling industry."

(MH/CD)

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