"Further protests are planned for the coming week, members and press will be notified," Farmers for Action said after over 500 people attended the protest on Wednesday night in Cornwall against cuts in milk prices.
"Well done to everyone who supported last night. James and his team for the excellent organisation. We had well over 500 people there, two foragers tens of tractors all doing a grand job. To those who donated money from the ancillary industries to feed and keep us warm a big thank you. Shame on the others didn't follow your lead as the dairy industry plays a large part in their businesses and it is about time they gave a little back into the industry that supports them.
"Also have to say a big thank you to all the media who were present last night for helping us get the message out to British consumers as to what is actually going on in the dairy industry. The great British public has once again shown that it is fully supports the country's farmers and are continually asking, why should I buy my milk? I want to be sure the producer is getting the best possible price. A revised consumer page will be added to this web site shortly but we say to you check the label, try and buy local, or doorstep from a local dairy and don't be afraid to ask where the milk is coming from.
"The biggest cut so far, not yet made public is Muller Wiseman with a massive 1.9ppl due to appear to its producers sometime next week. Muller apparently are very aggrieved that Farmers For Action got this information so early and are accusing their Farmer Board for the leak," the FFA said.
Wyke cheese cut again 1.5ppl, in what it described as a weak market.
Commenting on the reductions, Ash Amirahmadi, Arla UK’s head of milk and member services said: “Globally, milk production has increased by circa four to five per cent, which is out of sync with a lower increase in global demand of circa one to two per cent. This imbalance is resulting in large stocks and, as a consequence, markets have dropped sharply.
“Furthermore, Chinese demand continues to be sluggish and the Russian import ban is continuing to have an impact on European industry prices. This negative pressure is having a significant effect on Arla’s milk price.”
Many dairy farmers are feeling financial pain following a downturn in global dairy commodity prices and retailers have been urged to look for ways to support them, according to the National Farmers' Union.
Speaking ahead of the South West Dairy Event, NFU dairy board chairman Rob Harrison said: “Dairy farmers will be anxiously watching global markets for signs of an upturn and when it happens it is important that farm gate milk prices respond quickly and positively.
“It is more important now than ever before that food businesses and retailers pull their weight when it comes to delivering a sustainable price for dairy farmers and back British farming. Some, but by no means all, retailers have determinable milk pricing mechanisms. We’d like to see more retailers take the lead of the likes of Tesco, Sainsbury’s, M&S and Waitrose, whose pricing mechanisms give farmers some certainty over price. There are a number of opportunities for business in the supply chain to do more in liquid, cheese and other contracts.
“While more can be done proactively, it’s also important to remind retailers now is not the time to take advantage by applying pressure for price cuts as any volatility in the market could put a huge strain on the whole supply chain which would make the situation even worse.”
But Mr Harrison said the long term outlook for dairy farmers was still very positive.
“The UK dairy industry is operating competitively in a growing global market – the future remains bright, but we need to work together to ensure the foundation of the industry, our farmers, have a future.”
