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Farmers hold 'urgent summit' over milk prices Farmers announce 'action plan' over milk prices
(about 1 hour later)
Farming unions from across the UK have held an "urgent summit" to discuss milk prices, following widespread protests. Farming unions from across the UK have developed an action plan following an "urgent summit" to discuss milk prices.
Some farmers are experiencing a "crisis" after being paid less than the cost of production, the National Farmers' Union says. The plan includes calls for labels to indicate British products and long-term contracts for farmers.
Some farmers are experiencing a "crisis" after being paid less for their milk than the cost of production, the National Farmers' Union has said.
Protests have included removing large quantities of milk from shops and blockading distribution centres.Protests have included removing large quantities of milk from shops and blockading distribution centres.
'Dire situation'
Supermarket chain Morrisons will meet farming industry leaders on Tuesday to discuss the price row.Supermarket chain Morrisons will meet farming industry leaders on Tuesday to discuss the price row.
That meeting will include the UK's four main farming unions - the NFU, NFU Cymru, NFU Scotland and the Ulster Farmers' Union - all of whom were involved in the meeting on Monday. It will include the UK's four main farming unions - the NFU, NFU Cymru, NFU Scotland and the Ulster Farmers' Union - all of whom were involved in Monday's meeting.
Speaking on Monday afternoon, David Handley, from Farmers for Action, said the action plan discussed between the various groups would be "driven home within days" and a letter sent to all retailers. The NFU said the new action plan included calls for:
Farmers from Wales also joined the summit to discuss the price they get for lamb, which they say has reached a critically low level.
David Handley, from Farmers for Action, said the plan would be "driven home within days" and a letter sent to retailers.
"Our members... need one thing at the moment, and that is money. Because if we don't get money going into the winter, this industry is going to be in a very, very dire situation indeed.""Our members... need one thing at the moment, and that is money. Because if we don't get money going into the winter, this industry is going to be in a very, very dire situation indeed."
He added: "Peaceful protest has worked well so far, I think that will carry on until we can actually deliver something." He added "peaceful protest has worked" and would continue until a solution was found.
NFU president Meurig Raymond said: "Obviously the industry is in crisis. There's despair within our members. NFU president Meurig Raymond said: "Obviously the industry is in crisis... I've been farming for 45 years and this is the worst I've known."
"I've been farming for 45 years and this is the worst I've known, particularly the dairy sector and the lamb sector."
On Sunday, two cows were taken down the aisles of a supermarket in Staffordshire as part of a protest by about 70 farmers.On Sunday, two cows were taken down the aisles of a supermarket in Staffordshire as part of a protest by about 70 farmers.
Asked by the BBC if this protest was "responsible", Mr Raymond said: "I urge my fellow farmers, do not alienate our British customers at this given time. Protesters have also been clearing supermarkets' shelves of milk in the so-called "milk trolley challenge".
"Keeping the British consumers on side is so important."
Arla, Britain's biggest milk co-operative, previously announced a price cut of 0.8p per litre - taking the standard litre price to 23.01p for its UK members.Arla, Britain's biggest milk co-operative, previously announced a price cut of 0.8p per litre - taking the standard litre price to 23.01p for its UK members.
Meanwhile, British dairy organisation AHDB Dairy said the the average UK farm gate price was 24.06p per litre in May, a decrease of a quarter over 12 months. British dairy organisation AHDB Dairy said the average UK farm gate price was 24.06p per litre in May, a decrease of a quarter over 12 months.
Farmers estimate that it costs between 30 and 32 pence to produce each litre of milk. Farmers estimate it costs 30-32p to produce each litre of milk.
Protesters taking part in the so-called "Milk Trolley Challenge" have been removing all cartons of milk from shops including Morrisons and Lidl before paying for it and taking it away or dumping it at the checkout. Case study
'Make or break' By Claire Marshall, BBC News
Victoria Bristol, 29, of Clitheroe in Lancashire, comes from a family who have been dairy farmers for 55 years. Geoff Bowles runs Ivy House Farm in Somerset, and his is one way to beat the dairy crisis - cut out the middle-men.
She told BBC News that if prices do not increase soon, her family will not be able to continue to produce milk after Christmas. His herd of 120 Jersey cows produce around 600,000 litres of milk a year. He processes on site and sells the liquid milk, butter and cream directly to shops - 70% locally, 30% in London.
She said: "The public need to get behind the farmers and support their local produce. But they also need to make their feelings known to the supermarkets, who are responsible for driving the price down." His produce is twice as expensive as the supermarkets - but he can't keep pace with demand and turnover is up year on year. Mr Bowles has helped more than a dozen farms to adopt his business model.
She said her father Andrew, 56, and brother William, 27, who are both farmers, had not drawn a wage for themselves so far this year. What's the downside? A lot more work, he says, because there is much more regulation and inspection. However, the workers on his dairy farm are smiling more than most - their future seems secure.
"This is make or break time for farmers' livelihoods," she added. Patrick Holden, who is a farmer and founder of the Sustainable Food Trust, appealed to the industry to introduce a new labelling system.
Patrick Holden, who is a farmer and founder of the Sustainable Food Trust, has appealed to the industry to introduce a new labelling system. He said: "There is only one way out of this in my opinion and that is if consumers have the chance to identify milk which is produced to a fair price and a fair treatment for the animals on the supermarket shelves."
He told the BBC News Channel: "There is only one way out of this in my opinion and that is if consumers have the chance to identify milk which is produced to a fair price and a fair treatment for the animals on the supermarket shelves." A spokeswoman for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said it maintained a "regular dialogue" with the industry.
Ahead of the talks on Tuesday, a spokesman for Morrisons said: "We want to reiterate that we are not seeking any further reductions in milk prices and we will continue our talks with the NFU, in a constructive manner, to finalise our agreed plan of action." Morrisons said it was not seeking any further reductions in milk prices and would continue talks with the NFU.
A spokesman for Aldi said: "The price we pay for milk has remained consistently above the farm gate price and we have not reduced the amount we pay our processors." Aldi said its milk prices had "remained consistently above" the farm gate price and Lidl said it worked closely with farm assurance schemes which champion British farming.
Lidl said in a statement: "As a responsible retailer, we work very closely with farm assurance schemes such as Red Tractor and RSPCA Freedom Food, which heavily champion British farming." Arla said the co-operative was "acutely aware" of the difficulties farmers were facing.
A spokeswoman for Arla said the co-operative was "acutely aware" of the difficulties farmers were facing.
Meanwhile, farmers from Wales have also joined the crisis summit to discuss the price they get for their lamb, which they say has reached a critically low level.
Are you a farmer? How have you been affected by milk prices? You can share your comments by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you a farmer? How have you been affected by milk prices? You can share your comments by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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