Green MSPs Join Farmers Milk Blockade to Demand Fair Trade
Thu., August 18, 2005. 11:20.
Robin Harper MSP and Mark Ruskell MSP to join a blockade of Wiseman's main depot in East Kilbride.
Greens MSPs are joining a blockade of milk distribution centres this morning to support their call for fair trade.(1) Farmers are being put out of business, and being paid less than the cost of production of milk, as the effects of a supermarket price war and market domination hits them directly.
The demonstrations are taking place across the country and Robin Harper MSP and Mark Ruskell MSP are to join a blockade of the milk processor Wiseman's main depot in East Kilbride. (2)
Robin Harper MSP, Green Co-convener said: "It is sad that the situation has come to this - but it is time to stand up for what is right, and to demand fair trade for farmers. I share the anger of farmers because the big four supermarkets are clearly out of control and have a hidden side to them which seeks to extract every last drop of profit out of decent hard working farmers regardless of the effects to the local and wider economy or to communities. The continuing exploitation of dairy farmers by the big four supermarkets, Tesco, Asda, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s, and the milk processors is unacceptable. Processors cannot avoid responsibility. They should stand shoulder to shoulder with farmers, otherwise it is understandable that they are seen as part of the problem - not innocent by-standers."
Mid Scotland and Fife Green MSP Mark Ruskell said: "Consumers should be aware that supermarkets and processors are paying very low prices for milk and are driving dairy farmers out of business. Most supermarkets nowadays stock fairly traded coffee and chocolate. We want fair trade for farmers here in Scotland, as well as for producers in developing countries. By not giving local producers a fair deal, supermarkets are driving the farming industry in this country into crisis."
Recent research by the Milk Development Council reveals that, despite supermarkets increasing the price of a litre of milk by 3.5 pence, virtually none of that increase has been seen by the farmers. Farmers are paid less than the costs of producing milk. The retail price of a litre of milk is around 50 pence, with supermarkets suspected of taking around 22-24 pence of that. Dairy farmers receive around 17 pence – 2 pence below the cost of production. Last year this resulted in six out of every 10 dairy farmers failing to cover their costs. In the last five years 700 dairy farms in Scotland have gone out of business.
Greens have been campaigning in the Scottish Parliament and across the country against the growing grip of supermarkets over the food supply chain and the negative effects of their purchasing and aggressive market trading tactics. The Greens' Food Revolution campaign is calling for supermarkets to be regulated by an independent watchdog and for a new Code of Conduct to be introduced. The current Code that is meant to prevent unfair trade is widely regarded as a failure. The Office of Fair Trade which supports the existing Code is also suspected of backing the big four powerful supermarkets, and not small business, farmers and rural communities. (3)
Notes
1. To contact Farmers For Action (FFA) who have organised the demonstrations, call John Cummings on 07743 664306
2. Demonstrations at milk processors will take place up and down the country. Green MSPs will be at the Wisemans main depot, Cairnside, East Kilbride. map.
3. The Greens' Food Revolution campaign has four themes:
- safe food (control pesticide use, campaign against GM and encourage organic farming)
- fair food (to ensure farmers receive a fair price for their goods, and to help low income households source healthy food)
- good food (promote access to fresh, high quality food, especially in schools and hospitals)
- local food (to cut down on food miles and boost farmers’ markets and independent shops thereby preserving jobs in the area)
Download the full ‘Food Revolution’ campaign document from http://www.scottishgreens.org.uk/site/id/4225/title/Food_Revolution.html
Contact the Scottish Greens' press team on 07909 933 074.