50 signatures reached
To: Food Processors and Retailers
Fair price for Milk at the Farm Gate
Food retailers have used fresh milk and dairy sales to increase 'foot flow' into retail outlets (supermarkets) it can increase customers by as much as 300% if they promote milk and dairy at discounted prices, the knock back effect of this 'Dutch auction' that they then enter into with their competitors is passed back to the dairy producers with reductions in farm gate milk prices. Recently this has had devastating effects on dairy famers with farm gate milk prices as low as 7 pence per litre being paid in some cases. It is recognised by all parts of the food sector that it costs an average of 31 pence to produce a litre of milk , no farmer in the UK is receiving a price anywhere close to that today the average ex farm gate price is currently 21 pence per litre.
Supermarkets must STOP using milk and dairy as lost leaders and start selling it at its true value and at the price that most consumers are willing to pay, ref recent Mintel survey of consumers .
Why is this important?
This endless pressure being placed upon the dairy farmers of the UK is about to implode and will bring down the dairy industry that is unique and of tremendous value to the UK , the industry supports thousands of jobs in the rural communities across the UK for every dairy farmer and employee there are over 35 people employed in the service industries that support them, not to mention banking , insurance etc. the usual service industries we all use.
The knock on effect to other agricultural sectors will also have major impacts on our economy, environment and the whole infrastructure of the UK countryside.
All sectors of the food producing industry are under pressure from world prices, we are unique as a country in that we are able to produce almost 100% of our food requirements if we were allowed to, we also have growing export markets in food and food producing machinery , our produce is seen as the best and safest produced world wide. This export market will also be threatened if the home market is not maintained.
UK farmers will turn their backs on food production as we can now grow crops and utilise land for renewable energy production with profitable secure long term income. This would put UK food security under great pressure and we would have a greater reliance upon imports with unreliability of supply and a lack of traceability of our food supply.
If you want our unique to the UK, fresh dairy produce, fully traceable farm assured wholesome produce sign this petition and buy 'Red Tractor' assured produce when you next do your shopping. BUT if you want UHT or POWDERED milk on your breakfast and your children's breakfasts tomorrow move on.
