Farming minister to be quizzed by MPs over dairy prices

The price of milk paid to farmers is not expected to rise until the end of this year or early next, according to a government minister.

George Eustice was giving evidence to MPs after a summer of protests by dairy farmers across the South West over the low price they get for their products.

A petition calling for the introduction of a minimum price farmers get for their milk triggered this afternoon's one-off parliamentary session.

The farming minister will be quizzed on the dairy industry by MPs later this afternoon.

George Eustice is being brought before the Agricultural Select Committee where he'll be cross-examined on milk prices. The session will also hear evidence from the National Farmers Union and has been called after more than 50,000 signed a petition asking the Government to introduce a minimum price.

Morrisons say their new brand of cheese - with more money going to the farmers - will be available from the beginning of October.

"Milk for Farmer's cheese and milk lines", comes after meetings between Farmers for Action and the supermarket following blockades of their distribution centre in Bridgwater.

Morrison's say they're also looking into how they could develop a winter support fund for dairy farmers - another meeting on Friday will determine whether this is possible.

Farmers are again protesting this evening outside the Morrisons Distribution Centre in Bridgwater.

It comes three days after they agreed to suspend action ahead of talks with the supermarket.

Farmers for Action this afternoon announced they were protesting over delays in negotiations over the price paid for milk used to make cheese.

Here's James Badman from Fathers for Action

Morrisons says the plan is still to introduce a new British Brand to help support farmers but the protesters aren't convinced.

You can watch footage from this evening's protest below:

Farmers are again protesting this evening outside the Morrisons Distribution Centre in Bridgwater.

It comes three days after they agreed to suspend action ahead of talks with the supermarket.

Farmers for Action this afternoon announced they were protesting over delays in negotiations over the price paid for milk used to make cheese.

Morrisons says the plan is still to introduce a new British Brand to help support farmers

Dairy farmers are due to hold a meeting with Morrisons later to discuss whether to commit to a Milk for Farmers cheese brand.

It follows a protest at the supermarket's distribution depot in Bridgwater on Monday night in which dairy farmers called for a fair price for the milk that goes into products like cheese.

Morrisons has already pledged to produce a special milk and cheese brand that would see more money going back to the farmers.

Hundreds of dairy farmers have once again been demonstrating over the price they receive for milk.

400 farmers blocked the entrance to the Morrisons distribution centre in Bridgwater last night (24 August) - this time to highlight their campaign to get a better price for the milk they sell to make cheese.

Today they told ITV News the protests will continue until a fair deal is reached.

You can watch Jonty Messer's report below:

Morrisons says that its statement issued a fortnight ago still stands:

Hundreds of dairy farmers from across the West Country are back at the Morrison's depot near Bridgwater after talks over milk prices fell down.

David Handley from Farmers for Action says that, although they agreed a deal over liquid milk with the supermarket giant, they were unable to come to a similar arrangement with the milk supplied for cheese.

Farmers blocked the Tesco distribution centre at Avonmouth late last night - in the ongoing battle over falling dairy prices. The Farmers for Action group organised the protest in the latest of demonstrations over money.