Shoppers in Devon and Cornwall would pay more for their milk – if they knew their money was going to support hard-pressed dairy farmers.
South West solicitors Stephens Scown commissioned research which questioned more than 1,000 consumers in the two counties in the wake of record low farm gate milk prices.
They found 85% of people are prepared to pay more for milk and local dairy products if it helps secure the long-term future of dairy farming in the region. And nearly half of them – 42% – would pay a fifth more for their milk, cheese, cream, butter and yoghurts if the money went to support dairy farming
The research comes as dairy farmers across Britain struggle to make ends meet. A combination of global over-supply and a drop in demand – made worse by the Russian ban on imports from the EU – has seen the price farmers are paid plunge by up to 12p a litre in less than 12 months.
Some farmers are preparing to receive little more than 20p a litre as the spring flush of milk comes onto the market – less than the cost of production for most. A slight improvement in prices globally has yet to filter through to the majority of dairy farmers on the ground.
Supermarkets are meanwhile selling milk at record low prices – just 89p for four pints in some stores. Some of the stores are taking the financial hit and maintaining payments to farmers on the very best contracts, but other producers are suffering and farmers fear the ultra low prices damage the value customers put on milk and dairy produce.
The crisis, which has hit the Westcountry harder than most, prompted Stephens Scown, which has a large number of farming clients, to launch an online campaign to help raise awareness of the importance of dairying to the Westcountry at Support SW Dairy Farmers.
The survey shows that while 82% of shoppers understand and sympathise with the low rates farmers often receive and 87% prefer local produce, only 11% regularly buy local dairy goods. Phil Reed, partner and head of the rural team at Stephens Scown, said: “We know first hand what the current milk crisis means to dairy farmers and we want to help to encourage as many people as possible in the region to make a pledge to support the industry and therefore actually commit to buying more local dairy.
Dairy farmer Matthew Rowe, of Two Waters Foot near Liskeard in Cornwall – a recentwinner in the Cornwall Farm Business awards – welcomed the findings as “something to celebrate”.
He said that after months of negative headlines it was good to hear about consumer support. “Whilst this isn’t going to change purchase habits overnight I hope that by taking a pledge to buy local dairy it will make people stop and think when they’re next shopping.”
And Mark Oliver, chairman of the NFU’s South West dairy board and a Cornish dairy farmer also welcomed the survey. He said: “I would like to see a scheme where some milk is offered for sale at a higher, more sustainable price with the understanding that the extra money would be paid back to the farmer using a fair trade kind of model. This would give choice to shoppers who feel they can afford to pay a little more for the long term good of the industry.”
He went on: “A demand from consumers for locally produced milk and dairy products will provide a real boost for farmers in the region. The challenge for the industry is to make produce that is British and indeed, local, clearly identifiable at point of sale.”
Michael Smith, chairman of Food & Drink Devon, said dairy farmers were being put out of business. “There is real intent to do more to support our regional farmers. South West dairy farmers need our support. If we don’t take action the years of falling milk prices will spell an end to fresh, safely produced dairy products.”
Melanie Squires, regional director NFU South West, said the research backed an NFU study showing 85 per cent of the public wanted to see more British food on supermarket shelves. “In the run-up to the general election it’s important that politicians get the message about how important local produce is to people. We’d urge consumers to take a second to support our food and farming industry by casting a vote for British food at Vote British Food.” she said.
Source: Western Morning news