In light of the extreme weather conditions over the past few days Arla has changed its policy and will pay the cost of its farmer owners milk if collection is unavailable due to roads being blocked.  

Graham Wilkinson, Senior Director of Member Relations, Arla Foods UK comments: “The weather is proving extremely difficult for Arla farmers who are battling the elements as well as freezing pipes in the milking parlour. Despite heroic efforts by Arla famers and drivers, in some cases it is proving impossible to collect milk because of the road network. Where this is or has been the case these past few days, Arla has made the decision to cover the cost of milk it could not collect. The lengths farmers go to so that we can continue to enjoy dairy products needs to be recognised and as a farmer owned dairy cooperative if we can take the worry off farmers by guaranteeing they will get paid, it is the right thing to do in these extreme circumstances.”

Payment for lost milk will not be made if farm tracks and farm access areas are the reason for collection not being able. These remain the responsibility of the farmer.

However some farmers were not so lucky. Mark Wareham from Somerset told the BBC he had had to throw away more than 8,000 litres of milk because lorries were unable to collect it during the snowy weather.

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He said tankers were unable to get "anywhere near" Sunnyside Farm in Trudoxhill, near Frome for two days.

Somerset was one of the worst-hit areas when Storm Emma hit the UK on Thursday.

Mr Wareham said he was hopeful trucks would be able to reach him on Saturday evening but said any more problems would severely hit his business.

He said: "These are pretty extreme conditions that we've experienced - it's been a challenge for everybody.

"The lorries physically couldn't get anywhere near the farm. The roads on the way were blocked and I've only got capacity to store 5,000 litres on the farm and I produce just over 4,000 every day, so I don't have enough to store for several days on end."