Wiseman rise welcomed - 'but farmers need more'

A MOVE by the UK's largest buyer of milk, Robert Wiseman Dairies, to increase the price it pays producers by 1p per litre, was yesterday described as "encouraging" by NFU Scotland's milk policy manager George Jamieson.

But Jamieson said he was disappointed that Wiseman's suppliers will not receive the increase to 25.72p per litre until March 1.

The Wiseman announcement on the rise said it was being made in reaction to concerns over the increasing cost of on-farm milk production.

Jamieson said: "All milk processors are well aware that current costs of production on farm are close to 30p per litre while average farmgate prices are nearer 26p.

"It is vitally important that milk buyers view any current price increases as nothing more than the start of a process that will see more substantial milk price increases to farmers.

"The UK supply chain must recognise that producers must benefit from strong markets.

"While increases of 1p per litre are a start, they go nowhere near what is required to reflect either costs or the increased value in milk products."