What to do about milk prices!?!

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WindowGlass
Posts: 163
Joined: Sun Nov 03, 2013 12:59 pm
Location: West Midlands

What to do about milk prices!?!

Post by WindowGlass »

Went into my local superstore supermarket a few weeks ago to find 4 pints of milk at 89p!

I do want to save money in this economic climate, but not at the expense of impoverishing dairy farmers and wrecking their industry and livelihood.
I still remember how midlands farmers were helping their west country colleagues with feeding and even land for the cattle affected by the flooding of the Somerset levels last year.

What little proportion of that 89p are the farmers getting?

I bought Cravendale (a farmers' co-operative) on that day. More expensive, but hopefully better for the producers.

Exploitation on our own shores! They'd be needing Fairtrade soon if this price descent continues.

Maybe I should query the supermarket chain, or write to my MP.
Yamin151
Posts: 2405
Joined: Fri Aug 30, 2013 8:30 am

Re: What to do about milk prices!?!

Post by Yamin151 »

What a good post and a good subject to discuss. I'm not at all sure what we can do. I'm not sure whether paying more for 'premium' milk benefits the producer or the processor and marketer...........its a really difficult one. I agree though, that I'd like a good competitively priced marketplace but not at the cost of destroying the dairy farmer.
KB
Posts: 3030
Joined: Tue Mar 04, 2008 3:28 pm

Re: What to do about milk prices!?!

Post by KB »

Is it possible to buy milk other than from a supermarket / major supplier so that more of what we pay goes to the farmer?

There must be organisations encouraging consumer purchasing to support the farmers?
Yamin151
Posts: 2405
Joined: Fri Aug 30, 2013 8:30 am

Re: What to do about milk prices!?!

Post by Yamin151 »

This is helpful

http://www.farmersforaction.org/21.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
WindowGlass
Posts: 163
Joined: Sun Nov 03, 2013 12:59 pm
Location: West Midlands

Re: What to do about milk prices!?!

Post by WindowGlass »

Thank you for that Yasmin151

I suppose as a consumer voting with ones feet is action, but I'd like to see more done.

How long will we tolerate unbridled capitalism that leads to market domination and subservience on the one hand, and socialist control on the other - gosh, Britain really is an island in the Atlantic pinch!

I wonder whether The Co-Op are a better outlet to benefit farmers?
WindowGlass
Posts: 163
Joined: Sun Nov 03, 2013 12:59 pm
Location: West Midlands

Re: What to do about milk prices!?!

Post by WindowGlass »

Co-op seem to be doing something good for their milk farmers http://www.co-operativefood.co.uk/food- ... ups/dairy/

ASDA.com: ethically sparse, I found only "price-lock" for shoppers and community handouts from their foundation. What about destruction of the farming community? It seems like only money matters there.
I'll have to check out Morrisons too. I hope they'll do better.

I do admit to listening to the Archers a little, but otherwise I'm urban [rather] than rural based; so no direct interest other than being British.
Hera
Posts: 856
Joined: Mon Feb 22, 2010 3:50 pm

Re: What to do about milk prices!?!

Post by Hera »

Did anyone see Countryfile last week, it was all about this. There was a farmer in Sheffield who delivered milk to a huge number of customers direct and guaranteed that it came from cow to cup on the same day. I think Tesco's, Waitrose, Sainsbury's and one other buy their milk direct from the farmers and guarantee to pay a minimum of between 30-35p per pint. Others like Asda and I think Morrissons buy from a middle man and the farmers can get as little as 21p per pint if I remember correctly.

This is it if anyone lives nearby:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Our-Cow- ... 4705881697" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
berks_mum
Posts: 939
Joined: Sat Dec 28, 2013 4:52 pm

Re: What to do about milk prices!?!

Post by berks_mum »

Become vegan :D ? Just joking.
We were discussing this issue last week and a friend gave me this link - http://www.ahimsamilk.org
She says they are very animal friendly.
Guest55
Posts: 16254
Joined: Mon Feb 12, 2007 2:21 pm

Re: What to do about milk prices!?!

Post by Guest55 »

There is also a massive difference between tenant farmers ad those who own their farms.

Many farmers are multi-millionaires ... (source: local and family knowledge)
MedievalBabe
Posts: 1191
Joined: Wed Oct 16, 2013 9:56 pm

Re: What to do about milk prices!?!

Post by MedievalBabe »

We are lucky to have a local dairy who deals with local farmers direct and then the milk gets delivered early in the morning by a lovely milk man in his float. The bottles get left out for him to collect and reuse and we keep the silver tops to also be recycled. The milk does cost more than buying from the supermarket but we know the farmers are being paid a fair price, we get our milk very fresh and we only get what we need so no throwing away milk gone off, which used to be a big problem.
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