DAIRY FARMERS NEED MORE MONEY FOR MILK - KEETCH

9.00.00am GMT Thu 30th Oct 2003

Paul Keetch, Lib Dem MP for Hereford, is backing a Parliamentary motion calling on the Government to push for an increase in the farm-gate price of milk.

Mr Keetch has signed Early Day Motion 1803 which supports the National Farmer's Union and Farmers Union of Wales's campaign to highlight the uneconomical farm-gate price of milk received by British dairy farmers.

"British farming has been facing some tough times of late," the MP said. "It shouldn't be too much to ask for farmers get a decent return on their produce. For farmers this isn't a matter of raking in huge profits, it's a question of trying to make ends meet.

"The motion that I have put my name to talks about preventing 'the demise of the British dairy farming sector'. That is how serious this issue has become. I hope that this EDM can help bring the difficulties that dairy farmers are facing to the Government's attention."