One-day conference to discuss Welsh milk-pricing issues
challenges facing the Welsh dairy industry.
Wales' dairy farmers have suffered in recent years from low milk pricing which has caused a decline in the number of farmers available to produce milk. Over the last decade the number of milk farmers in Wales have dramatically fallen. Studies show that in 1992 there were 5,712 farm holdings with dairy cows and in 1992 that figure had decreased to 4,004.
It is believed that a milk price has has influenced farmers to leave the industry. The Welsh Farmers Union (FUW) The organisation that is to chair the event, has reported that some farmers receive 8 pence for each of milk they produce, yet consumers pay up to 45 pence for the same milk. The farmers argue that they deserve higher prices for milk considering the profits that the suppliers are making.
"The number one problem is the low price that we as farmers receive for our milk," said Dai Davies, chairman of the FUW's milk and dairy produce committee.
Both farmers and supermarket representatives will be present at the conference in February and the organisers claim that this will allow the interests of the industry to be addressed over that of individuals.
"I hope that bringing all these representatives together under one roof will help to identify ways to address these problems and look at ways we can all co-operate to improve the price paid to farmers for their milk," Davies added.
Speakers include Roger Evans, chairman of First Milk, Kevin Hawkins, Safeway's head of communications, Peter Rees of the dairy development centre, and Peter Midmore, Professor of applied economics from the University of Wales.
For information on attending the event contact Nia Davies or Mared Llwd on +441970 820 820.
