Having yesterday pledged to support farmers mounting protests outside processors and retailers involved in the latest round of cuts, which have plunged the dairy sector into crisis, the National Farmers Union today launched a ‘name and shame’ campaign against retailers it sees as profiting from unsustainable conditions in the diary supply chain.

Farmers have threatened to withhold milk and picket supermarkets and processors if cuts to farm-gate prices announced between late April and early July are not reversed by 1st August, the date on which the latest bout of cuts are set to come into effect.  

Supermarkets which are seen to be profiting from milk produced by farmers who are paid below the cost of production are being featured on a series of ‘posters’ launched by the NFU today. The poster designs produced by the union and featuring Asda, the Cooperative and Morrison’s have already been shared more than 3,000 times across the internet.

However, farmers have suggested the supermarkets which operate a ‘cost of production model’ and are not being targeted may be getting off light, as a number only apply the cost of production model to their dedicated fresh milk suppliers and in fact buy in milk from the offending processors in addition to this supply.  

Nevertheless, the campaign appears to be having an effect already, a spokesperson for the Cooperative said the supermarket, which is supplied by Wiseman Dairies, “We are doing everything we can to attempt to alleviate the pressures facing dairy farmers during these tough trading conditions” including boosting the premium it pays its dedicated suppliers. Nevertheless, the new price remains below the cost of production.

The NFU’s name and shame posters are available to view and download here.

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