DAIRY PROCESSORS

Milk prices to farmers need to get back up to an agreed average based on the cost of production of 22p a litre.The Intervention Board figures show that there could be a major shortage of milk in the coming month. (Due to the loss of many dairy farms!) This is causing the dairy processors a great deal of concern. Unless the farmers get the price they need the processors are going to have serious problems in the coming months. A substantial price increase for milk to dairy farmers is needed before the coming winter period, when production costs are higher.

SUPERMARKETS:

Asda/Walmart:
Concern had been voiced over the way that Walmart have operated in the USA. British farmers will not allow Asda/Walmart to put the British farming industry in an even worse situation than it already is. Negotiations will continue with Asda Walmart's European and UK chief.

Tesco:
There are serious problems with Tesco over the use of the new British Farm Standard tractor logo. Various chicken products carrying the logo are labelled as sourced in the EEC and packed in Britain. Britain is in the EEC but FFA understood the undertaking was to use the logo only on products sourced in the UK. FFA believes that unclear labelling confuses shoppers and is asking that Tesco only uses the logo as it was intended.

FFA meeting with the Government:

FFA had a very successful meeting with the Minister of Agriculture, Nick Brown. They highlighted the concerns of the dairy industry and also discussed cereal prices, the pig and poultry situation and the beef and sheep industry. They hope for answers to a number of questions at the next meeting.

BRISTOL:

FFA held a demonstation in Bristol on August 11th which had much support from the public.During the evening 15 black balloons were released; one for each farmer who has been driven to suicide in the last 3 months.

The above notes have been taken from the Farmers for Action August newsletter. As is obvious from this and many other similar reports farming needs help and it needs it now! So do the related industries which aid diversification:- see notes on the threat to small/medium abattoirs etc.

September news summary

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