Sir, – Britain’s dairy farmers produce milk of the highest quality built upon world leading standards in health and welfare, hygiene and environmental protection.

My husband’s family include dairy farmers in North Yorkshire. Relatives include the producers of a well-known Yorkshire brand of cheese.

Sadly, the number of dairy farmers has been falling across the UK.

The price paid to dairy farmers for milk can be below cost price as supermarkets have a milk price war. In some stores milk is cheaper than bottled water.

First Milk delayed their January payments to many farmers.

The dairy sector is under challenge as farmers need to feed, water and warmly house their stock, particularly when the weather is cold and snowy, as recently experienced in North Yorkshire. Tenant farmers need to pay their rent from dwindling incomes.

British farmers have helped create the rural landscape over the centuries. Farming needs to be a viable option for young people like my nieces to carry on family businesses and protect our valuable landscape heritage.

I am backing the NFU campaign to support dairy farming.

Shoppers must be willing to pay a milk price that will enable dairy farmers to continue long term rather than opt for the cheapest deal.

Shoppers should support the UK dairy industry not just by buying fairly priced milk but also other British dairy products like cheese, yoghurt and butter. North Yorkshire is lucky to have a range of quality local products like Swaledale, Hawes Creamery and Shepherd’s Purse cheeses. It was good news that Brymor Ice Cream production is to continue.

JACQUIE BELL

PPC Skipton and Ripon Liberal Democrats