UK: Wiseman / M�ller pulls milk price cut after pressure from dairy coalition

Robert Wiseman Dairy, now owned by German company M�ller, has agreed to scrap its planned milk price cut today.

After more than two weeks of campaigning by the dairy coalition, made up of the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), NFU Scotland, NFU Cymru, Farmers For Action (FFA), RABDF, Tenant Farmers’ Association (TFA) and the Women’s Food and Farming Union (WFU), the last targeted milk processor has agreed to drop its planned price cut of 1.7ppl, leaving its price to dairy farmers at 26.43 pence per litre (ppl).

NFU President Peter Kendall said today’s announcement was testament to the hard work from all members of the coalition working together with massive support from people up and down the country.

“I am immensely proud of what the coalition has achieved so far,” said Mr Kendall. “In a little over two weeks we have seen the Co-operative, Morrisons and Asda agree to pay their farmers a price that covers their costs of production,

“With today’s announcement by Wiseman/ M�ller, joining First Milk, Dairy Crest and Arla from yesterday, I am also pleased to say the planned milk price cuts by all of the major dairy processors have now been rescinded before the August 1 deadline. This was one of our key goals when we set out and we have achieved it.

“This will bring some relief to dairy farmers who supply liquid milk to Arla, First Milk, Dairy Crest and Wiseman/ M�ller. But we will continue working hard behind the scenes to ensure these first steps turn into a longer-term, sustainable milk price for all dairy farmers. This can’t be a short-term fix.

“So, for the coalition the work continues. I am conscious that the milk price cuts from June are still in place but rest assured we will continue in talks with the processors to work towards returning that lost money. We will meet to discuss next steps.

“I thank everyone; farmers, members of the coalition, and shoppers for their support. We could not have done this without them.”