Dairy firm hits out at ‘disruptive blockades’
Constructive talks over milk prices cannot continue against a backdrop of disruptive blockades, a dairy processor has warned.
Müller Wiseman issued the warning following a blockade of its Market Drayton plant by dairy farmers last week.
A spokesman for Müller Wiseman said the company was committed to continuing discussions on milk prices with the Müller Wiseman Milk Partnership.
The partnership comprised farmers who had been elected to represent all suppliers to the company, said the spokesman.
“We are acutely aware of the challenges facing our suppliers and we are determined to do all we can against a backdrop of competitive pressure from UK and European competitors.”
The spokesman added that constructive discussions could not take place while blockades continued.
He explained: “These actions paralyse our dairies, place jobs at risk and are a gift to overseas competitors who seek to increase sales of dairy products which do not contain a drop of British milk.”
Nearly 300 farmers, equipped with 12 tractors and trailers, blockaded the Müller factory in Market Drayton – Britain’s biggest yoghurt factory – last Monday (22 October) and a nearby Robert Wiseman Dairies site.
“These actions paralyse our dairies, place jobs at risk and are a gift to overseas competitors who seek to increase sales of dairy products which do not contain a drop of British milk.”
Müller Wiseman, spokesman
The impromptu action caused significant disruption in the distribution of milk and milk product supplies at both sites for six hours, from 6pm to midnight.
The Müller Wiseman spokesman said the processor had a constructive relationship with the Müller Wiseman Milk Partnership board.
“We reiterate our commitment to working with the coalition of farming unions and Farmers for Action to the benefit of the British dairy industry.”
Any discussions would be in line with the recently agreed voluntary code of practice to oversee the relationship between milk processors and dairy farmers.
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