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Milk price draft deal agreed

Dairy farmers have agreed in principle to a voluntary code of practice with milk processors, after a series of protests at the cuts to the price they are paid for their milk.

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What the milk deal will mean for farmers

A deal has been struck in principle to end the stalemate over milk prices. The agreement means:

  • Firms buying milk, like big supermarkets, would give a "sensible" notice period when changing their prices
  • It means farmers would have enough time to opt out of any deals
  • Government officials say they could still bring in legislation at a later date if the code failed to work
  • But ministers warn they cannot dictate prices

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NFU: Action still needed to reverse price cuts

This agreement will give us the architecture we need to make sure that we don't end up with the same dysfunctional markets that are responsible for the dairy crisis we have today. The farming community is more united than ever before and the strength of feeling on this dairy issue is increasing and not decreasing. We will spend the rest of this month collectively throwing 100% of our efforts into reversing the price cuts from earlier this year and rescinding the ones on the horizon on August 1.

– Peter Kendall, President of the National Farming Union

Dairy farmers to have crunch talks with processors

Dairy farmers are due to have crunch talks with milk processors today as the stalemate over milk price cuts continues.

The two sides are set to meet at the Royal Welsh show in Powys after British farming ministers agreed to push them to back a new code of practice.

Last night more than 2,000 farmers took part in a third round of protests over the milk pricing crisis blockading plants near Bridgwater, Somerset, Droitwich Spa in Worcestershire and Market Drayton in Shropshire.

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Dairy farmers to hold talks with ministers over milk prices

British farming ministers have agreed to push for farmers and processors to back a new code of practice when they meet today after days of heightened protests over milk price cuts.

Farmers are worried plans to reduce the price they are paid for milk will put them out of business. Credit: Press Association.

Government ministers and dairy farmers are set to hold talks today at the Royal Welsh Show in North Wales.

'Robust code of practice' needed for milk prices

At tonight's meeting there was recognition from all three Ministers that there is an imbalance in the supply chain. It was clear that the preference of all three Ministers is for a robust code of practice which will deliver transparency in milk pricing and a fair price for our milk producers. But there was also acceptance that legislation remained an option if necessary.

The success of the code will of course be whether we find ourselves back in same position in next few months and it is important the code delivers a long-term solution to this unfair and emotive issue - not a quick-fix. The UK Government also agreed to explore a possible role for the new Groceries Code Adjudicator in this issue.

– Richard Lochhead, Scotland's Farming Minister

Ministers pressing for code on milk price

British farming ministers have agreed to push for farmers and processors to back a new code of practice when they meet tomorrow after days of heightened protests over milk price cuts. Talks between the two sides are set to go ahead as the stalemate over the 2p a litre reduction continues.

In a joint statement the ministers said:

The dairy sector is a key part of our agricultural industry and all the Governments in the UK are determined that it should have a profitable and sustainable future. In responding to the current situation, industry needs to address both the immediate issue of the price paid for milk and also the structures and mechanisms that will help underpin the long term viability of the sector."

Government plans dairy crisis talks

Dairy farmers are furious about cuts of up to 2p a litre in the amount they receive from major milk processors Credit: Danny Lawson/PA Wire/Press Association Images

The Government is to have talks with dairy farmers following two nights of protests over the prices paid to milk suppliers.

Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman and Farming Minister Jim Paice are to meet farmers, milk processors and supermarkets next week, a spokesman for Defra confirmed.

The ministers will hold talks at the Royal Welsh Show, in Powys, on Monday to try to resolve the crisis in the dairy industry.

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