[Metrobeans]

M109 - Motion on Milk Prices, barnetlad

This House values dairy farmers and believes that they should get a fair price for their milk, supports a plan such as a fair trade mark for this, and notes that aside from being important in its own right milk is the constituent of one of the greatest things ever to come from Yorkshire, Wensleydale cheese

[Smack]

If dairy farmers aren't being given a fair price for their product, why do they sell it? I don't know much about farming...

[thunder_chunky]

Oooh Arrrrr (yes)

[TheCrackInTime]

(Original post by Smack)
If dairy farmers aren't being given a fair price for their product, why do they sell it? I don't know much about farming...

Can someone who knows anything about farming explain this?

[tehFrance]

(Original post by Smack)
If dairy farmers aren't being given a fair price for their product, why do they sell it? I don't know much about farming...

Do you come from Scotland or do you just live there? if you come from Scotland I am shocked you don't understand agriculture.

Farmers sell it because it is needed however supermarkets and big corporations are not giving them the true value for the milk and thus is being underpaid. Many farms are closing down or switching to more profitable areas in agriculture but unfortunately in this country, they are far and few between.

Personally I support anything that gives farmers a fair price for their produce, I don't want so cheap food that is not up to standard and I am willing to pay more for high quality, well grown, local produce.

In my role of DEFRA I have looked into making it easier for farmers however the cost is too substantial in this country for the government to help properly which is a shame otherwise I would of brought a lot of bills to the house with the aim of helping the agricultural industry that is under an ever increasing threat from the 3rd world, I personally do not care about 3rd world produce as quite frankly it is harmful to the environment in so many ways... especially in the journey to get the food to the UK.

(Original post by TheCrackInTime)


Can someone who knows anything about farming explain this?

See above, if you need more detail ask.

[Stiff Little Fingers]

(Original post by Smack)
If dairy farmers aren't being given a fair price for their product, why do they sell it? I don't know much about farming...

I'd assume it's because milk is a spoilable good, they can't just set it aside and refuse to sell until they get offered a decent price, while they need to sell it so they have some form of income?

[jesusandtequila]

(Original post by Smack)
If dairy farmers aren't being given a fair price for their product, why do they sell it? I don't know much about farming...

This.

If the price is so low that you make a loss, then you shouldn't be a dairy farmer. Do something else.

[Stiff Little Fingers]

(Original post by jesusandtequila)
This.

If the price is so low that you make a loss, then you shouldn't be a dairy farmer. Do something else.

So then where do we source milk from?

The issue is not that the individual is incapable of negotiating a good enough price, where someone else could do a better job, the issue is that dairy farmers in general aren't able to get a good enough price due to the structuring of the industry.

[Birchington]

Farmers need to be paid an acceptable price for the milk they produce. Supermarkets have an obligation to pay their suppliers fairly.

[jesusandtequila]

(Original post by Alofleicester)
So then where do we source milk from?

The issue is not that the individual is incapable of negotiating a good enough price, where someone else could do a better job, the issue is that dairy farmers in general aren't able to get a good enough price due to the structuring of the industry.

If people stop producing milk, then the price goes up (since there's less of it). Then people don't make a loss. Then they produce milk.

Oh, and why must milk be from cows that happen to live in Britain?

[tehFrance]

(Original post by jesusandtequila)
Oh, and why must milk be from cows that happen to live in Britain?

I don't want cheap cows from abroad... only exception is France

[jesusandtequila]

(Original post by tehFrance)
I don't want cheap cows from abroad... only exception is France

Then by all means start a company that sells British milk at a higher price and pays a price to farmers where they don't make a loss. If consumers prefer British milk and are willing to pay the extra, fine, but it's not government's problem.

[Stiff Little Fingers]

(Original post by jesusandtequila)
If people stop producing milk, then the price goes up (since there's less of it). Then people don't make a loss. Then they produce milk.

However, if there's less of it, then the nations demands are not going to be met, and so the price will hike too far. What needs to happen is balancing an improved deal for farmers with reasonable prices for consumers.

Oh, and why must milk be from cows that happen to live in Britain?

It's not a "must", but we ought to focus on production being mainly in this country due to the sheer amount of processing needed for the milk to keep during the transit and be consumable by the time it reaches stores if we import it - more processing -> increased cost to the processors -> increased cost to stores -> more expensive milk.

[tehFrance]

(Original post by jesusandtequila)
Then by all means start a company that sells British milk at a higher price and pays a price to farmers where they don't make a loss. If consumers prefer British milk and are willing to pay the extra, fine, but it's not government's problem.

So lets get this straight, you want cheap crap from abroad? do you not want the agricultural industry to thrive?

I am going to be honest, I hate the idea of buying imported food from outside of Britain or France... I don't know what could of been done to it!!

[Observatory]

As someone who actually buys his own food, I would like to pay a "fair price" for my milk! Increasing the price of basic foodstuffs for the sake of a small minority of businessmen is horrifically regressive.

[jesusandtequila]

(Original post by Alofleicester)
However, if there's less of it, then the nations demands are not going to be met, and so the price will hike too far. What needs to happen is balancing an improved deal for farmers with reasonable prices for consumers.

The market is never in equilibrium. There is always excess supply or excess demand. However, the price mechanism constantly nudges us towards the ever moving equilibrium. But we're talking about wholesale prices, not consumer prices here.

Currently, if dairy farmers just start going out of business, then supermarkets either have no milk, pay higher prices, or get it from abroad. The supermarket will choose the best option for them, which will either be the cheapest milk (including transit costs), or that milk isn't wanted at the prices we can produce it at, so people don't buy milk. Either way, I still see no argument for gov't involvement.

It's not a "must", but we ought to focus on production being mainly in this country due to the sheer amount of processing needed for the milk to keep during the transit and be consumable by the time it reaches stores if we import it - more processing -> increased cost to the processors -> increased cost to stores -> more expensive milk.

See the edit.

[jesusandtequila]

(Original post by tehFrance)
So lets get this straight, you want cheap crap from abroad? do you not want the agricultural industry to thrive?

I am going to be honest, I hate the idea of buying imported food from outside of Britain or France... I don't know what could of been done to it!!

Okay, so don't buy imported food. Why do you wish to make everyone else pay for this preference? I merely think that if it costs more here, then okay - sell British food at the price you can, and people can sell imported stuff cheaper if it is so cheaper and let people pick whichever one they want.

Besides, ever eat bananas, out of season fruit? All 'imported crap' after all.

[tehFrance]

(Original post by jesusandtequila)
Okay, so don't buy imported food.

Besides, ever eat bananas, out of season fruit?

I don't... what would make you think I do? I go to farm shops

God no, fruit

[toronto353]

(Original post by tehFrance)
So lets get this straight, you want cheap crap from abroad? do you not want the agricultural industry to thrive?

I am going to be honest, I hate the idea of buying imported food from outside of Britain or France... I don't know what could of been done to it!!

In reality you shouldn't buy or eat any food whatsoever because you can have no idea of what could have been done to it.

[jesusandtequila]

(Original post by tehFrance)
I don't... what would make you think I do? I go to farm shops

God no, fruit

At least you're consistent, but I still don't see why it justifies making everyone else pay for your own subjective preference? I'm not saying that we ban British food - just that if it costs more and that is reflected in the price, then so be it. Those that wish to pay the premium may, instead of being forced to.