British dairy farmers to be hit by European reform plans1 August 2011
European proposals could leave British dairy farmers facing a crisis.
MPs have issued a report on the European Commission's proposed reform of the dairy sector.
They warn that the so-called Milk Package will not do enough to help UK farmers tackle low prices, high feeding costs and unfair contracts. And criticise the Government's lack of action - calling on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to respond.
They also ask Defra to assess the environmental, welfare and social impacts of large-scale dairy farming and to support the sector through research and investment.
Reacting to the MPs' report, Friends of the Earth's food campaigner, Kirtana Chandrasekaran, said:
"Dairy farmers are facing a crisis - and too little is being done to tackle it.
"Farming policy must be reformed to support home-grown animal feeds and to prevent supermarkets from bullying farmers into unfair contracts.
Mega-factory farms are not the solution.
"They come with serious health and environmental threats and could put many farmers out of business."
Friends of the Earth endorses the ministers' call for compulsory contractual reforms.
US-style super-dairies:
-
Present serious problems
to animal welfare, health and the environment. -
Drive down milk prices
Supermarkets pay UK farmers less than it costs to produce it.
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