More dairy farmers join cooperatives
21 February 2001
More dairy farmers join cooperatives
By Robert Harris
UP to 1000 dairy farmers could switch to co-operative marketing after a decision by a dozen groups belonging to the Association of Milk Producers.
Members voted on Tuesday (20 February) to transfer 1.2 billion litres of annual production to Chester-based farmer-owned Milk Group.
The move would more than double the milk volume traded by the Milk Group – its 800 producer- shareholders currently supply about 700m litres of milk a year.
Recommendations will be put to the members of the groups at a series of meetings to be held over the next four weeks.
“Our recommendation to join the Milk Group represents yet another significant boost for co-operative selling,” said AMP chairman, Bev Baker.
Milk Group director Geoff Vickers said: “Our ambition to grow the Milk Groups business has taken another significant step forward.”
Strong synergies with AMPs membership and their milk field across central England and Wales would bring immediate benefits, he added.
Milk haulage and administration could be shared, as well as creating a stronger marketing and negotiating position, said Mr Vickers.
Last month, the northern-based Association of Dairy Farmers recommended that its 1500 members join the new Axis and Scottish Milk business.