Scottish farmers in Christmas milk giveaway

Farmers in Scotland will highlight poor milk prices and supermarket profiteering by giving away free milk to Christmas shoppers on Thursday (16 December).

Hundreds of pints will be offered at two supermarkets, one each in Glasgow and Edinburgh.NFU Scotland said the aim was to show customers what they could be missing if supermarkets continued to pay farmers less than the cost of production.

Farmers received an average price of 25p/litre for their milk, but it cost 28p/litre to produce. By comparison, supermarkets made up to 18p/litre and £3/kg profit on a block of Scottish Cheddar.

“Supermarkets can easily deliver a fairer share of the substantial profits they are making on milk, cheese and other dairy products back to the farmer without asking anyone to pay a penny more for their food,” the union said.