Farron calls for investigation following crash in dairy incomes

South Lakeland MP Tim Farron has written to the industry regulator to call for a national investigation as it is revealed that dairy farm incomes have crashed by almost half over the last year.

Figures released by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs reveal that the average dairy farm business income for 16/17 is forecast to be just £22,500 per farm. This is a 49% fall compared to the year before.

Tim has written to the Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) to call for a national investigation into the failure of supermarkets to pay a fair price for milk and to support British milk farmers.

Tim said: "During the coalition, the Lib Dems worked hard to set up the GCA to help get a fair deal for farmers - it needs to do its job. This crash in incomes will have been devastating for many dairy farmers who are struggling to make ends meet. The GCA needs to look into the industry as a whole to make sure that our farmers receive a fair price for their produce. It must stand up for ordinary dairy farmers to ensure they aren't exploited by processors or supermarkets, and can make a decent living from farming."