HARD-PRESSED dairy farmers have invited MPs and Euro MPs to a meeting to discuss their plight. The Whitby Dairy Discussion Group – which has members from Whitby, Pickering, Stokesley, Loftus, Selby and York – has written to six local MPs and nine Euro-MPs.

Dairy farmers have been hit hard by low farm gate prices caused by volatile world markets and lower demand from China and Russia.

The official average GB farm gate milk price in September was 24.36 pence per litre compared to 31.37ppl in September 2014 – the average cost of production is more than 30ppl.

In the letter, secretary Joyce Stangoe, said: “Most farmers in this area have consistently been paid less than 25ppl for most of this year, with many below 18ppl, mainly due to the lack of any processing/manufacturing facilities in the area.”

Most of their milk is collected and processed by Arla at Leeds, although it is purchased by Arla, Meadow Foods and First Milk. The liquid milk is sold to all the major supermarkets.

The Group “applauded” that collaborative work. “But the difference in milk prices, and the lack of money passed to farmers from the haulage savings is not. We would like to see some action on this point.”

Ms Stangoe said the low milk prices meant many members were relying on stewardship and single farm scheme payments being paid on time.

“Small- to medium-sized family dairy farms are vital in keeping the North Yorkshire area sustainable and environmentally friendly, maintaining the National Park and local communities and supporting the local tourism industry,” she said. Their loss would be detrimental to the whole area.

The group wants the MPs and MEPs to support five points:

o a fair price for all farmers;

o supermarkets to sell food above the minimum cost of production, and to support and clearly label UK dairy products;

o a review and simplification of the Countryside Stewardship scheme to help dairy farmers in remoter areas, particularly in National Parks and coastal regions to help encourage tourism;

o increased assistance to drive local dairy food and drink production;

o improved promotion of dairy food and drinks via AHDB, with better support for deprived areas.

The Group has invited the MPs to their meeting at The Stables at Cross Butts, Guisborough Road, Whitby, on Monday, January 11, at 7.45pm.