Rednal farmers lambast milk price cuts

AN AGRICULTURE chief from Rednal has warned Midlands farmers will struggle to make a living after drops in milk prices were announced last week.

Michael Oakes, the dairyboard chairman for West Midlands National Farmer’s Union (NFU) is now pushing for transparency on prices to prevent further slashes.

He said: “Any business, however efficient, can’t reinvest and expect to make a living at these prices.

“Farmers will be looking how to pay the bills this week and next so we do need to address this now.

“An openness over pricing will stop the prices being dropped to help balance the books.

“We need members to show the strength of feeling on this issue and gauge what farmers want.”

Mr Oakes added the NFU needed to equal the efforts it had already done in achieving fairer contracts.

Robert Wiseman Dairies, Arla Foods UK and Dairy Crest announced last week they were set to reduce their milk prices in August on the back of other sizeable tag cuts in recent months.

John Mercer, NFU director for West Midlands, described the situation as desperate with the prices already below the break-even target, even before last week’s news.

The Union has met for crisis talks on the matter.

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