NFU welcomes Morrisons support for dairy farmers
NFU logo for press releases
Tuesday, 27, May 2008 12:00
The NFU has welcomed Morrison’s announcement that it is to extend its support for British agriculture in a move towards taking greater responsibility for its dairy farmer suppliers.
The move, which will see Morrisons offer regional milk to local consumers at no extra cost, together with the creation of a Morrison’s producer group, and steps to increase returns to dairy farmer suppliers through its two liquid milk processors, Dairy Crest and Arla, is seen as a step in the right direction by NFU dairy board chairman Gwyn Jones.
He said: “I support Morrison’s for seeking to inject some further confidence and profitability into the dairy sector. With milk production declining in the UK Morrison’s is sensibly seeking to secure their supply of milk.
“The NFU Vision for the dairy industry supported moves by retailers to get closer to dairy farmers in order to break down the barriers of mistrust, create clearer market signals and generate better transparency. In this respect today’s announcement is significant and welcome.
“There is no doubt the dairy industry has experienced something of a roller-coaster ride in the last 12 months. While supply and demand dynamics are changing for the better, milk production still continues to fall and there are risks of much greater volatility in commodity markets ahead.
“The NFU fundamentally believes that dedicated chains with proper contractual pricing arrangements for farmers are an important part of achieving a sustainable and profitable British dairy industry in the long term. The price increases that Morrison’s has announced are very welcome but are also likely to be much smaller once shared amongst the pool. For these reasons we want to see Morrison’s go further by establishing not only a direct, but also a dedicated relationship with their farmers. To this end our talks with Morrison’s will continue”.
-ends-
NFU, Agriculture House, Stoneleigh Park, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, CV8 2TZ
Press Officer: Sharon Hockley
Telephone: 024 7685 8686 FAX: 024 7685 8651 ISDN: 02476 416289
Http://www.nfuonline.com
The NFU champions British farming and provides professional representation and services to its farmer and grower members.
Disclaimer:
Press releases published on this page are from key opinion formers who promote their
organisation's activities by subscribing to a campaign site within politics.co.uk.
politics.co.uk does not endorse, edit, or attempt to balance the opinions expressed
on this page. The content of press releases are wholly the responsibility of the
originating company or organisation.