More on milk prices

MPs have urged the government to do more to protect dairy farmers from sharp falls in milk prices.

The Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee said farmers were being forced out of business every week by factors beyond their control. The remit of the government's groceries watchdog should be extended to cover dairy suppliers, its report said.

The government said it was doing all it could to help farmers cope with the "volatility of the global market".

On Monday, AudlemOnline ran an article on the impact price cutting by a number of supermarkets was having on the dairy industry.

Milk prices have come under pressure from a combination of rising supply and falling demand, particularly as a result of lower-than-expected demand from China and Russia's ban on food imports.

Our article on Monday was based on Charles Clover's comments in the Sunday Times. He urged shoppers to buy milk from Tesco, Sainsbury's, Co-operative, Marks & Spencer's and Waitrose, all of whom are paying cost-related prices for milk unlike ASDA, Iceland, Aldi, Lidl and Morrison's who were selling milk as a loss leader and paying uneconomic prices for milk.

On AudlemOnline, we should, of course, have emphasised home delivery which also pays farmers a decent price, has all the convenience of a delivery of fresh milk each day – or whenever you want it – to your doorstep and helps environmentally as the milk bottles are re-used time and time again.

The Audlem milk round is by F.E.O. Shone & Sons of Moss Farm, Wybunbury with Doorstep deliveries throughout Audlem. Fresh milk is delivered Monday – Saturday. Telephone number 01270 841480.

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