DAIRY farmers facing the challenge of low milk prices made their views known to Rishi.
Rishi spent a day touring Wensleydale speaking to more than 25 dairy farmers about the slump in prices which has hit their income.
With many farmers receiving less for their milk than it costs to produce, the farmgate prices currently paid threaten the viability of farms in one of Britain’s most beautiful landscapes.
The MP’s fact-finding tour took place before next week’s special session of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Select Committee. Mr Sunak is a member of the committee.
His tour took him to three farms in the dale and he met groups of farmers at the Wensleydale Creamery, Hawes, and Leyburn auction mart. During his time at the creamery he also spoke to Wensleydale Dairy Products managing director David Hartley to understand the perspective of a milk processor.
The three farms he visited were Matthew Bell, at Semmerdale Hall Farm, near Askrigg, a supplier to the creamery, tenant farmer James Dent, at West End Farm, Swinithwaite, and Ian Carlisle’s block calving operation at Thornton Lodge, Finghall, near Leyburn. The tour was organised by Jim McRobert, of Carrs Billington.
Mr Sunak heard how dairy farmers have had their income slashed in 2015 by a combination of factors including global over supply caused by the Russian import ban and a reduction in the dairy trade with China, and intense competition between UK supermarkets, some of which use milk as a loss leader.
He said: “I received a clear message today. These prices are causing real hardship for many dairy farmers. One told me his monthly milk cheque is almost £6,000 lower than it was last year. Clearly, for farmers working some of the more marginal land in the UK, that’s just not sustainable.
“These farmers are not asking for special treatment, they just want to be treated fairly.
“We have to find a way forward because if dairy farming in Wensleydale is not viable, it will have a profound impact on the landscape that we cherish and which supports the vital tourism industry. It is dairy farming which makes the dale’s lush pastures look the way they look and maintains the stone barns and walls which are so essential to the area’s character.”
Mr Sunak said at next Tuesday’s session of the EFRA select committee, the Farming Minister George Eustace and leading dairy industry figures would be giving evidence. His Wensleydale visit had been vital in providing him with the background to the situation.
“Today, I have gathered a huge amount of information and the valuable views of farmers dealing with the reality of this challenge. There is no easy solution but I am sure there are some practical measures that can be implemented to improve the lot of Britain’s dairy farmers in the medium term.
“We need to look at the marketing and labelling of British milk and dairy products. We need to encourage consumers to buy British, to make it absolutely clear to the consumer what is British dairy produce and for the consumer to know what is at stake if they don’t buy British.
“I would also like to see production of British cheese, yoghurt and butter ramped up. We import far too much butter and yoghurt in particular. These added value products can offer much greater returns for the industry.”
“While some supermarkets have introduced some welcome initiatives to treat farmers fairly, others clearly could do better.”
One of the farmers visited, James Dent, of West End Farm, Swinithwaite, welcomed Mr Sunak’s visit. He said: “It makes a lot of sense for him to see what it’s really like on the ground. It’s very good of him to come here to see us.”