Retailers and milk processors have been urged to recognise the efforts of dairy farmers working to ensure a continued supply of milk during the coronavirus pandemic.
NFU Scotland’s milk committee chairman Gary Mitchell, who runs a dairy farm near Stranraer, said farmers across the country had stepped up, as expected, to keep the nation’s food supply flowing during the crisis.
He welcomed a move by European dairy farmers’ co-operative Arla to hold its milk price for April but called on everyone in the supply chain to recognise the work of dairy farmers both in the short and long term.
“Costs on farm are rising and this needs to be made clear,” said Mr Mitchell.
“The next few weeks are going to be a challenge for all, but dairy farms will do what they do best and produce a product that we all know is as popular as ever. It is also important to stress that all farmers, their families and staff, must stay safe at this time and I would urge all to follow government guidelines to ensure we all get through this together.”
Arla, which buys milk from around one in four UK farmers, yesterday announced its on-account prices for milk would remain unchanged for April. However there will be slight quarterly currency adjustment downwards of 0.15p per litre. This means the conventional and organic prices will be 30.79p and 39.83p per litre respectively from April 1.
Arla’s managing director for the UK, Ash Amirahmadi, said the company was working around the clock to keep its staff safe and to supply customers with milk and dairy products.
He added: “These are challenging times and it is encouraging to see the grocery retail sector and farming pulling together.
“I would like to thank every individual working across Arla, from farm to store delivery, as they continue to work exceptionally hard to prioritise getting milk on the shelves, to deliver for Britain.”