The issue
of falling milk prices and the impact this is having on our farmers has been in
the media this week.
Whilst it
is natural for us all to want to pay the lowest possible price for our food, it
is important that we remember that often it is our farmers who bear the brunt
of cutting the prices we all pay.
In the run
up to the election I stated that I would actively support our local farming
community. I have begun to do this by meeting with farmers and their
representatives such as the National Farmers Union, both locally and in
Westminster.
On Monday
this week I met with group of local dairy farmers and I was able to learn first
hand the impact that these price reductions have on our local economy.
They shared
with me how tough it has been as the price of milk has dropped by 25% in the
last year. The price they are now being
paid is below the cost of producing the milk. It is important to remember that
all farmers are small businesses. No business can sustain receiving less than
it costs to supply a product for very long.
The price
reductions come against the background of the perception that dairy produce is
unhealthy, a perception that has led to falling demand thereby increasing
pressure on the industry. The farmers
also spoke of the challenges they face from imported dairy products, especially
yogurt and cheese.
Added to
the issue of falling milk prices is the ever-present fear of bovine TB. The cost financially and emotionally of
living with the stress of continued testing and regularly seeing cattle
destroyed as a result of TB adds to the challenges dairy farmers face.
Farming
remains one of the cornerstones of the Cornish economy, we have a proud farming
tradition and as a county we continue to contribute significantly to national
food production. As a nation we
currently produce less than 70% of the food we need.
We cannot
afford to continue to lose farmers and it is essential that we have a
significant successful and sustainable farming sector. The Government is
playing its part in reducing red tape and seeking to open up overseas markets
for export.
But we can
all do our part to support our local farmers by consciously trying to buy
local. Local produce is not always more
expensive than supermarket alternatives, and is often of a much better
quality. It may not be always practical
or possible to buy local, but where we can we should try to support our local
producers and retailers.
As
consumers it is difficult for us to always be certain of the origin of the
goods we are buying. Look out for the Red
Tractor logo – Red Tractor is the largest food scheme in the UK, which covers
all aspects of the food’s lifespan. The Red Tractor logo indicates that food is
safe to eat, and has been produced responsibly - from farm to fork.
Whilst I am
confident of a positive future for our dairy farmers in the long term, we need
to do all we can to support them during this current crisis.
