'Outlook for dairy farmers is bleak unless government acts' says Farron

3.01.00pm GMT Thu 20th Nov 2008

The North West regional dairy board along with representatives from the National Farmers Union yesterday met with Shadow Secretary of State for DEFRA Tim Farron MP to discuss the problems facing dairy farmers after milk production had reached a thirty-five year low.

Last year alone production in the UK fell by 4.5%, resulting in over a million litres of milk having to be imported each day.

The impending EU decision on pesticides reduction and the requirement in nitrate vulnerable zones for farmers to build silage stores have all contributed to rising input costs that have been forcing dairy farmers away from the industry.

Commenting after the event Tim Farron said;

"Over the last two years billions of litres of milk have been imported simply because we don't have enough farmers to meet the demand.

"Dairy farmers today are faced with ever increasing input costs and supermarkets with no intention of sharing their profits with the producers.

"If things don't change then the dairy industry is headed for disaster. Farmers are leaving the profession in their droves whilst the Government just sits back and watches them leave through the door."