FUW WELCOMES U-TURNS ON MILK PRICE CUT PLANS BUT WARNS OTHERS TO FOLLOW SUIT

With August 1 rapidly approaching all milk processors must follow the example set by others and reverse decisions to reduce farmgate milk prices - or face the anger of the farming industry, the Farmers' Union of Wales said today.

Today global dairy company Arla Foods joined First Milk and Dairy Crest who had earlier this week done a U-turn by withdrawing plans to reduce the milk price it pays to farmers in its liquid and balancing pools from next Wednesday (August 1).

FUW dairy and milk produce committee chairman, Holywell dairy farmer Dei Davies, welcomed the decision but warned that others must now follow suit or face the wrath of the industry.

Following a meeting for FUW dairy producers at the Royal Welsh Show on Thursday, Mr Davies said: "Dairy farmers have their backs to the wall and are facing further increases in input costs as the summer goes on.

"We desperately need a long term solution, but in the short term all processors need to undo the damage done over recent weeks and months.

"This has been made clear during meetings with numerous processors, politicians and other farming organisations over the past weeks, and we will continue to make this clear at a number of further meetings arranged for the coming weeks."