Milk

[womanofdulwich]

I confess I used to buy milk at Sainsburys- about 10 pints a week. Where should I buy to be sure that the milk producers get a fair price- does it have to be the co-op or is there anywhere else local?

thanks

[Siduhe]

I thought Sainsbury "own brand" milk was ok, or at least not amongst the worst offenders - Sainsbury increased the price paid following a new price deal on cost of production earlier this year, and they've publicly said they support fair pricing for dairy farmers?

[civilservant]

To my knowledge, only the Co-Op and Morrisons have taken action as a result of the dairy farmers' protest so far http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18936539

I don't know what their baseline was against which they raised their reimbusremesnt - but Sainsbury and other big supermarkets remain conspicuously silent on the issue

[RosieH]

womanofdulwich, have you read anywhere that you SHOULDN'T buy your milk from Sainsbury's?

I'm not sure why you're asking, because he supermarkets named and shamed were Asda, Morrison's and the Co-op.

Milk production ppl stands at around 30p - Sainsbury's pay 30.56 ppl - so yes, you can buy from Sainsbury's (and maybe avoid the Co-op..?)

[PeckhamRose]

"named and shamed"? The Co-op Support them!

[RosieH]

Support who? And what's with the exclamation mark?!

"Farmers' unions say Asda and Morrisons, who are both supplied by Arla, do not ensure farmers receive a sustainable milk price. They also single out the Co-op." http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/jul/20/dairy-farmers-protest-price-milk?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487

[civilservant]

Now had time to do a bit more digging:

"Since the demise of the Milk Marketing Board in 1994, milk prices have been set in contracts drawn up between supermarkets, processors and farmers. The National Farmers Union estimates that it costs its members 29p to produce a litre of milk. In the late spring the three main processors, Dairy Crest, Arla and Robert Wiseman, reduced the price they would pay per litre to 27p. They now propose to reduce that by a further 2p. Combined with rising feed costs, reduced commodity prices, the drought in the US and the floods in the UK, dairy farmers expect to lose between 5p and 6p on every litre.

Earlier this month, 2,000 dairy farmers attended a rally in Westminster to bring attention to the situation. The following weekend they picketed branches of Asda, Morrisons and the Co-operative, which pay less than Tesco, Sainsbury's, Marks & Spencer and Waitrose. ... However, in a sign of some movement from the retailers, who skim a healthy profit of around 14p a litre, the Co-op on Friday said it would increase the amount it pays to 29 pence a litre from August."

So that rise brings the Co-oP more into line with the big four - so it's skimming pretty much the same as Sainsbury's 14ppl now.

[maxxi]

This is only with regard to milk sold as fresh milk though and not milk bought to make supermarket cheese and other recipes - they have apparently not upped the price for that, so the protest will continue.

[Annette Curtain]

I drink Goats or Rice milk

Does that count ?

Anyway, rock on

Nette

[silverfox]

Battery cows would reduce farmers' costs - fact

[RosieH]

People being prepared to pay a reasonable price for their groceries would help the farmers too.

[womanofdulwich]

I must have got the wrong end of an interview somewhere along the line. Sorry if I confused anyone. Back to Sainsburys it is then.....

thanks

[Siduhe]

Here's what Sainsbury have said on the issue: http://www.j-sainsbury.co.uk/mobile-latest-news/%5Cmobilenewsarticle?id=6829