Milk price code agreed after farmers' second blockade
The government has agreed a voluntary code of practice between dairy farmers and milk processors.
Farmers' milk premium increased following blockade
One of Britain’s leading retailers says it is increasing the premium it pays farmers for their milk.
Farmers struggling to make profit from milk
Some farmers are being paid less for a litre of milk than what it costs to produce it.
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Dairy farmers protest again over milk prices
Angry farmers blockaded a Bridgwater dairy processing plant last night, for the third time in the space of a week, in protest at milk price cuts they claim are crippling their livelihood.
Protest group Farmers For Action organised blockades at several UK dairies, including Bridgwater's Robert Wiseman Dairy. The action follows the company's announcement that it's cutting its milk price by 1.7p per litre from August 1.
Meanwhile, Milk supplier Dairy Crest bowed to pressure today and agreed to put its planned milk price cut on hold for at least two months, after protests from farmers.
Farmers say if Somerset-based Robert Wiseman Dairy doesn't do the same they'll be protesting at the plant again tonight.
Milk price code to be finalised by end of August
A voluntary code agreed by farmers and milk processors will be finalised by the end of August. Politicians arranged a crunch meeting today following blockades at milk processing plants across the country by farmers.
– Government spokesmanThe finer details of the code will now be finalised by all parties by the end of August. The code means in future, contracts between farmers and dairy processors will be freely negotiated, fairer and more transparent.
As part of the agreement, individual farmers can negotiate contracts - covering issues such as pricing and notice periods. Farmers will also have the ability to leave contracts "more easily" if they are unhappy with the price they receive.
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Milk price code agreed after farmers' second blockade
by Carrie Garrad
The government has agreed a voluntary code of practice between dairy farmers and milk processors.
Read the full storyBREAKING: Milk price code agreement
A deal has been agreed between dairy farmers and milk processors. The meeting was called by farming minister Jim Paice after protests from dairy farmers from the West Country and across Britain over cuts to the price they are paid for their milk.
The agreement regards establishing a voluntary code of practice for those within the industry - but terms and conditions have yet to be finalised.
Reaction from a young farmer
Dairy farmers in the region have staged another protest at the Robert Wiseman dairy in Bridgwater.
Farmer James Hold from Blackford in Somerset says young farmers are leaving the industry because they do not see a future.
Local MP says milk should be fair trade
Dairy farmers in the region have staged another protest at the Robert Wiseman dairy in Bridgwater.
Wells MP Tessa Munt is supporting the dairy farmers. She says milk should be classed as 'fair trade', like chocolate and tea.
All parties have this lunchtime agreed a voluntary code of practice.
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A second milk protest will be held tonight
A second protest will be held in Somerset tonight over the continuing row about milk prices. Around 300 people took part in a blockade last Thursday at Robert Wiseman in Bridgwater. Since then the supermarket chains Co-Op and Morrisons have agreed to raise the amount they pay.
Farmers' blockade pays dividends
A blockade by farmers of the region's biggest milk processor has paid dividends today. The Co-op group says it's increasing the premium it pays on milk to farmers within its group, to 29 pence per litre. That will include Robert Wiseman Dairies.
Last night hundreds of farmers descended on its plant in Bridgwater to disrupt supplies, in protest at the firms recent price cuts. It has reduced what it pays farmers by almost 4 pence per litre in the last 3 months, blaming global markets. Jeff Welch reports
Farmers' milk premium increased following blockade
by Carrie Garrad
One of Britain’s leading retailers says it is increasing the premium it pays farmers for their milk.
Read the full storyCo-op first to respond to farmers on milk prices
Cordelia Lynch @ITVCordelia BREAKING:The Co-op says it is increasing the premium it pays on milk to farmers within the Co-Op Dairy Group to 29p per litre.
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