Stephen Phillips MP takes action on dairy farming

MP to introduce bill to ensure fair price for milk and protect residents from intensive dairy farming operations

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Stephen Phillips QC MP has this week asked the House of Commons for permission to bring in a Bill to guarantee a fair price for milk and to ensure a sufficient minimum distance between intensive dairy farming operations and the surrounding settlements. The Ten-minute Rule Motion, which will be heard on the floor of the House of Commons on 12th January 2011, will be the first step in the progress of the Dairy Farming Bill.

Stephen said:

“The provisions to set minimum prices payable to dairy farmers for the production of milk will help to protect the livelihood of farmers all over the country. I know that many dairy farmers are struggling to make ends meet given the ridiculously low prices they are currently paid for their milk, often below the cost of production. Indeed, a large number of such farmers simply go out of business – in my constituency of Sleaford and North Hykeham, for example, there are almost no dairy farmers left. Those who do hang on can often only do so to the detriment of their families’ standard of living and investment in their farms. Supermarkets, processors and other buyers do not pass down enough of their profits to those who produce the milk, threatening this country’s long history of dairy farming.

“My Bill would ensure that there will be a minimum distance set between large intensive dairy farming operations and surrounding settlements, a provision in place in other countries but not here. The concerns of residents in my constituency for operations like those proposed at Nocton are in large part based upon the site’s proximity to local villages. Setting a minimum distance would lessen such problems for residents wherever these sites are proposed and ensure statutory protection rather than relying merely on the planning process.

“I hope that this legislation will make the dairy farming industry fairer for farmers and local residents alike, and provide a more secure future for this vital part of our rural economy and heritage.”

Ends


Date: 8th December 2010

Word Count: 332

Notes to Editors:

The Ten-minute Rule Motion entitled ‘Dairy Farming’ is on the order of business of the House of Commons for Wednesday 12th January 2011. The text is as follows:

That leave be given to bring in a Bill to make provision for the minimum prices payable to dairy farmers for the production of milk; to establish minimum distances between intensive dairy farming operations and the nearest settlements; and for connected purposes.

For all press enquiries please call Emma Salisbury on 020 7219 6487 or email emma.salisbury@parliament.uk