April 25, 2013

 

 

UK farmer union, Farmers For Action (FFA), has withdrew from the SOS Dairy coalition and called for a more drastic approach in advocating fairer milk prices.

 

Formed in 2012, the coalition consists of Farmers For Action, the National Farmers' Union (NFU), NFU Cymru, NFU Scotland, the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers and the Tenant Farmers' Association.

 

It successfully reversed cuts in the farm gate milk prices and campaigned for a voluntary code of practice aimed at ensuring a fair relationship between farmers and milk buyers.

 

However, recent talks of more milk price cuts has caused members of Farmers For Action to protest.

 

FFA's chairman, David Handley, said he was uneasy over the coalition's "lenient" approach towards the dairy code of conduct.

 

Despite the union's split from the coalition, Farmers For Action will continue to work with other coalition members, he added.

 

Over the past two weeks, dairy farmers under the Farmers For Action banner have targeted supermarket depots in Cheshire, Derbyshire and West Yorkshire, UK.

 

The protests were sparked after dairy cooperative First Milk suggested it would have to reduce farm gate milk prices unless retailers paid more for cheese.

 

This week, processors Dairy Crest and Arla Milk Link announced milk price increases for their farmer suppliers. However, First Milk has yet to follow suit.

 

A First Milk spokesman said the company had held "positive discussions" with Asda, Morrisons and the Co-operative about returns from cheese.

 

Meanwhile, NFU president, Peter Kendall, expressed disappointment over FFA's decision to withdraw from the coalition.