Milk companies have a duty rural communities says MP

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has urged the major milk processors to remember that they are part of rural communities, following the news that many of them have slashed the prices they are paying to farmers.

Over the last few weeks the major producers have, one by one, slashed the price they are paying to farmers. Dairy Crest has dropped both its manufacturing and liquid milk prices by 1.75p/litre for October. This follows First Milk who have slashed both its milk prices by 3p/litre.

Muller Wiseman has also cut its milk price by 1.8p/litre, which means that suppliers not aligned to national supermarkets will be paid just 29p/litre from the 1st October. Muller's price is now a huge 4.6p/litre lower than it was in April.

Tim has urged other producers and supermarkets to follow the lead of family run Booth's supermarket who have promised to pay the highest farmgate price among retailers.

Tim said: "Many farmers rely on the big processors and any cut in the in milk prices hurts them, their business but also the villages in which they live and work. I hope that the producers remember that when they decide on pricing. These businesses need to remember their role in rural communities. I will be pressing the government at every possible opportunity to stress to these companies their responsibilities."