By Valerie Elliott and Dana Gloger

PUBLISHED: 18:17 EST, 21 July 2012 | UPDATED: 09:49 EST, 22 July 2012


The Women’s Institute yesterday joined Britain’s dairy farmers in their protests over milk prices.

WI members and farmers teamed up at rallies around the country as the Government agreed to meet milk producers for talks – and three major supermarket chains caved in to pressure and announced they would increase the prices they paid to suppliers.

Asda, Morrisons and the Co-oper-ative all raised their fees, which will be passed on to the dairy producers.

Diary demo: Members of the Gisburn Women's Institute protest about the low price dairy farmers receive for their milk in Colne yesterday

Diary demo: Members of the Gisburn Women's Institute protest about the low price dairy farmers receive for their milk in Colne yesterday

As dozens of members joined the protests, WI spokesman Kathleen Calvert said: ‘The police have been surprised by the number of women from rural areas, wives, daughters, aunties, grannies and many from the younger generation, who have joined the farmers.’

WI members demonstrated outside an Asda store in Colne, Lancashire, and at the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show in Builth Wells.

Their involvement comes amid a wave of rallies and blockades staged by farmers and their supporters across the country.

More than 700 people gathered outside the Robert Wiseman dairy in Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire, and there was a protest outside a plant in Foston, Derbyshire, last week.

Asda, Morrisons and the Co-oper-ative are seen by dairy farmers as the worst payers. Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and Marks & Spencer have a pool of farmers providing milk, and the way they are paid makes sure all production costs are covered.

Young farmer members enjoying a bath of milk overlooked by Alex Fergusson Local MSP for Galloway & West Dumfries along with local Dairy Farmers Protesting at Morrisons in Dumfries

Young farmer members enjoying a bath of milk overlooked by Alex Fergusson Local MSP for Galloway & West Dumfries along with local Dairy Farmers Protesting at Morrisons in Dumfries

The pricing row erupted when four milk-processing companies announced they would be cutting the amount they paid farmers by up to 2p per litre. Supermarkets pay the processors to supply them with milk. Dairy producers reacted angrily, saying they were not getting enough to cover their costs – and the WI agreed.

A protester holding a placard showing the production price, retail price and price paid to farmers for their milk

A protester holding a placard showing the production price, retail price and price paid to farmers for their milk

As well as taking part in demonstrations, WI members have been speaking to shoppers to persuade them to buy milk in stores that pay the best prices to farmers. And its national board has launched a letter-writing campaign to support them.

Ms Calvert, from Clitheroe, Lancashire, who took part in the Colne protest yesterday, said: ‘Obviously we want people to buy milk but we want them to pay the right price.

‘Farmers put so much into milk production. They work all hours in freezing weather and get so little back. They feel undervalued and can’t afford to pay their bills.’

WI national chairman Ruth Bond said that the need among its members to protest was growing, saying: ‘Many WI members just don’t feel they can stand by and watch the dairy industry being decimated.

‘The threats to the industry are not just a problem for farmers but for every consumer. The protests have been effective in raising awareness. That can’t be a bad thing.’

A litre of milk costs at least 30p to produce, but many dairy farmers say they are being paid as little as 24p. Most are locked into 12-month contracts so cannot try to get better prices elsewhere.

Asda last night raised payments to 27.5p a litre, while Morrisons put its payments up to 31p a litre. The Co-operative Group increased its fee to 29p per litre.

NFU President Peter Kendall said he was encouraged that the supermarkets had taken action but added: ‘We need a long-term solution that addresses the need for a sustainable raw milk supply.’

Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman and Farming Minister Jim Paice will meet dairy farmers tomorrow to discuss the issue.

Here's what other readers have said. Why not add your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.

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My wife gives our family all the milk we need, those express pumps are good for us.

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I notice with interest that the best supermarkets to look after their suppliers like Waitrose do not get a mention

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- doltare, south yorkshire, 22/7/2012 20:37. You are totally right but some people don't seem to realise!

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look at all the supermarket idiots on here! Milk farmers have only got themselves to blame! getting rid of the milk markiting board! and selling themselves to supermarkets and you idiots what shop in them well what more can be aid? now all you idiots buy from supermarkets instead of having it in bottles like the old days then you say you support the farmers just like you support the high street and markets i suppose.

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Thought I was going to have to go to Sainsbury for my milk if they are one of the few supermarkets paying an honest amount for their stock. The farmers should have made a fuss months ago, as they haven't been paid a fair price for some time.

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When you look at the message boards from earlier milk storys the readers ALL supported the farmers and the British countryside. Now its mainstream the internet trolls have come out to give abuse and bully. The problem is Asda is more likely to listen to the views of such trolls rather than the hardworking British public. And therein lies the root of our problems.

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@Jess , Midlands "The problem is not the price of milk to the customer but the amount the supermarkets are paying to the farmers. They shouldn't get less than the amount a pint of milk costs to produce, that is economic madness." Its not madness if you get a subsidy from the state to farm at a loss? I think it might be the farmer's choice to produce the milk for less than its worth. They get on average in Endland an income support payment subsidy of about £30,000 pounds per farmer. That's actually intended as a sort of benefit payment to keep them farming, given that farming makes so little money. With that coming in from the taxpayer, they can afford to produce milk "at a loss". Of course if you include the 30 grand in the cost to consumer and taxpayer then I guess we are actually paying about double the supermarket price already...

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WI should keep out of it .. get back to do what you do best make cakes

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The problem is not the price of milk to the customer but the amount the supermarkets are paying to the farmers. They shouldn't get less than the amount a pint of milk costs to produce, that is economic madness. The supermarkets can well afford to cut their profit margin to accommodate any raise needed.

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Helly calm down dear, we will always produce milk in this country. I just don't wish to pay any more for my milk, we are in a recession you know!

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