Arla farmers call on shoppers to make a positive difference to UK dairy industry
Arla Foods, the farmer-owned dairy company, is calling on shoppers to support dairy farming by buying its well-known and leading dairy products including Anchor, Cravendale and Lurpak in a new national campaign, Support Our Farmers., which includes a series of advertisements in the national press, leaflets and a social media initiative.
Arla Foods, the farmer-owned dairy company, is calling on shoppers to support dairy farming by buying its well-known and leading dairy products including Anchor, Cravendale and Lurpak in a new national campaign, Support Our Farmers., which includes a series of advertisements in the national press, leaflets and a social media initiative.
One in four British dairy farmers is an owner of the Arla cooperative with 100% of the profits paid back to them. A network of Arla dairy farmers will be supporting the campaign by distributing thousands of leaflets in their local communities highlighting how buying from Arla can support achieving a better price for their milk.
Ash Amirahmadi, Head of Milk and Member Services at Arla, said:
“We have consistently delivered a leading milk price for our farmers, but over recent months there has been significant pressure on the global milk market, where the price of milk paid to farmers is being squeezed. Due to our ownership structure, we are acutely aware of the impact this can have on our farmers as well as the wider dairy industry. We believe that the British public wants to help dairy farmers and we want to help them understand how buying Arla products benefits them directly.”
David Christensen, Arla farmer owner from Oxfordshire, continues:
“As a dairy farmer owner, I can’t overstate how much of a contribution that buying our products can directly help my milk price. Arla’s structure means, crucially, that there are no middlemen to cream-off the profits. The strength and scale of our cooperative means that we can work together and mobilise our farmer-owned business to ensure the public knows who benefits from their purchases.”
Barbara Hughes, Vice President of the Women’s Food and Farming Union and Arla farmer owner from Cheshire, adds:
“Where would we be without milk? Right now, we need the British public to support dairy farmers so that we can continue to milk our cows and produce the high quality dairy products that we all enjoy every day.”
At the same time, Arla Foods amba is holding its milk price for November for its owners across seven countries, including the UK.
That being said, the forecasted 2014 13th payment has reduced to 0.57ppl, as a result of the implementation of the new retainment policy. With effect from 27 October the UK standard litre, which includes the forecasted 13th payment, is 28.47 pence.
Commenting on Arla holding its milk price during November, Ash Amirahmadi, Arla UK’s head of milk and member services said: “Arla maintaining its milk price during November draws a line in the sand and creates much needed stability for our owners. However, the market environment continues to be challenging with ongoing pressure on prices on most markets.”
What do UK dairy farmers think of the news?
