Farmer calls for fairer milk prices (From Free Press Series)

Farmer calls for fairer milk prices

LOCAL dairy farmer Brian Parry produces 5,000 litres of milk every day - and he still cannot make ends meet.

Mr Parry says that's because he gets 18p a litre when he sells his milk to supermarkets.

And now Mr Parry of Ton Farm, Raglan, says that unless things change, he believes the industry could see a mass exodus of farmers.

He said: "I've been a dairy farmer since 1966 and this is the worst state I've seen the industry in.

"Although the price of a litre of milk has risen slightly from about 16.5 pence last year, the situation is pretty diabolical. Only last week one young disillusioned farmer asked me whether I thought it was worth his while carrying on."

Mr Parry believes the only way the industry can recover is if the government appoints an industry ombudsman to monitor price levels.

He said: "It's the only way we can get a fair price - we can't take on the might of the large supermarkets on our own."

Monmouth MP Huw Edwards is calling for supermarkets to conform to a stricter code of practice to ensure a fair deal for dairy farmers.

The Monmouth MP has told ministers from the Department of Farming and Rural Affairs that unless the code is strengthened dairy farming will remain in difficulty.

The Environment and Rural Affairs Select Committee is currently undertaking an inquiry into the problems of the dairy sector.

A spokesman for supermarket chain Asda said the company talks with suppliers in order to negotiate a fair price.

She said: "We are mindful of the difficulties facing the UK dairy industry and we have really taken a lead in trying to ensure we support the industry. In times when the price of milk has fallen we have even asked our suppliers to increase the price they pay and we have absorbed the costs."