Dairy Farmers May Still Need Government Help

Dairy farmers may yet need legal help from the Government if a voluntary regulator fails, Wrexham MP Ian Lucas has warned.

Mr Lucas, who met dairy farmers from his constituency to discuss milk prices last year, has backed recommendations in a Welsh Affairs Select Committee report on milk pricing. The report suggests that a voluntary system set up to regulate milk prices should be given time to proceed – but that the Government should consider regulation if the voluntary system fails to get results.

During the meeting last year, farmers explained their continuing problems with milk contracts, both with supermarkets and with milk producers, and proposals for a Grocery Ombudsman.

Mr Lucas said: “Farmers’ unions suggest that the voluntary code seems to be working at the moment. That is good news, and I hope that the all sides can work together.

“However, if the voluntary system breaks down, I believe the Government should step in. Dairy farmers told me last year that at the height of the milk price crisis, it was simply not economical to produce milk at all – if we return to that situation, we will see farmers lose their jobs.”