Norman Baker MP Member of Parliament for Lewes constituency
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BN7 2LJ.
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MP joins farmers in milk protest at Sheffield Park 9pm this Thursday
Lewes MP Norman Baker will join local farmers at a protest outside an Arla milk processing plant in Sheffield Park, near Chailey calling for fairer prices to be paid to farmers for their milk.
DEFRA figures uncovered by Norman last month showed that dairy farmers receive 25 per cent less for their milk than they did 10 years ago, while checkout prices have remained at a virtual standstill.
In 1995 farmers received almost 40% of the retail price of milk but now get less than 30%, confirming that downward pressure on prices hits farmers' livelihoods more than supermarkets' profit margins.
Arla is the largest dairy company in the UK, controlling around 35% of the UK milk market and currently supplies both Asda and Tesco supermarkets.
Commenting on this, Norman, who is also the Lib Dems Shadow Agriculture Secretary said:
“I am taking time out to meet local dairy farmers and show solidarity with their complaint.
"Processors and supermarkets are milking our farmers for all their worth. Many dairy farmers are hanging on by their fingertips.
"Even though Britain has some of the best conditions in Europe for milk production, we could now face the prospect within years of becoming dependent on milk imports to meet domestic demand.
"Processors and supermarkets have a responsibility to very hard working primary producers who clearly do not have the commercial strength in the market to take them on particularly since the unnecessary demise of Milk Marque in 1999.”