RABDF survey shows more than 1m liters of milk discarded
The survey, which has been running for a week, is being completed by farmers receiving a reduced value or having to discard milk, including sheep and goat milk, as a direct result of restrictions brought in to control COVID-19.
The results have been collated to feed into Defra to highlight the scale of the problem affecting the UK dairy industry.
Currently, the worst affected counties with milk either receiving a reduced value or being discarded are Dorset (2.38m liters); Staffordshire (2.17m liters); Kent (1.42m liters), and County Antrim (1.2m liters).
Although the amount of milk being affected seems to have dropped since April 20, the RABDF said there are still some farmers receiving a reduced price and occasionally, milk being discarded.
RABDF said it will continue to monitor this volume as more information becomes available when farmers receive their monthly milk statements next month.
The data is being processed for government and the organization is urging farmers to continue to fill in the survey.
RABDF chairman Peter Alvis said, “We continue to monitor the situation regarding the loss in value and all milk being discarded. There are about 2m liters of milk a day, that have not found a home in the retail market. What our survey shows is the negative impact it is having on those farmers most severely affected.
“It is imperative farmers continue submitting their information about the volume and value of milk lost so we can keep Defra informed of the size of the challenge this sector faces. We request DEFRA considers the seriousness of the situation and supports these farmers with a hardship payment. Any data we can continue feeding into Defra will only go to help this industry’s cause.”
