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Written by Mark O'Brien
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The newly elected dairy board chairperson Mansel Raymond plans to use his first speech to National Farmers Union (NFU) Council to demand the overdue increase in the price of milk. Mr Raymond is also seeking an immediate investigation of the dairy market and has promised to take any action necessary to ensure farmers get what they are owed.
“We can also see that milk production has reached a new low and that any hopes buyers may have had for a late spring flush are well and truly over. Buyers must behave in a proper manner towards their suppliers, and at the moment I believe that farmers and their reps are being misled. As for retailers, I believe there are certain activities that are working against dairy farmers and as a result they are not getting the returns they should be. Any attempts to undermine or circumnavigate dedicated relationships by aggressive tendering tactics elsewhere in the market will not be tolerated. The dairy market situation needs to be investigated immediately and once I have the facts and the evidence I need to move ahead then I will take the necessary steps to ensure that farmers get what they are owed.” Dairy Board Chairperson, Mansel Raymond. |