M&S extends fixed price contract to all milk

MARKS & SPENCER has extended its fixed-price milk contract to cover its entire 50m-litre milk pool.

The firm’s “milk pledge” – which guarantees that suppliers receive the same price for six months – was launched at last year’s Royal Show for its English suppliers.

Farmers in Scotland, Wales and Ireland will now also benefit, said the firm’s head of agriculture Paul Willgoss, who was hopeful of extending the pledge to 12 months.

“This initiative gives our dairy farmers the security of a fixed price.  “Other retailers agree milk prices on a monthly basis, which brings uncertainty to farmers.”