DAIRY FARMING

Early day motion 37, tabled 17 May 2005 by Bill Wiggin (Conservative). Signed by 76 members.

That this House notes with concern the recent Milk Development Council Report highlighting the drop in farmgate prices for milk while supermarket margins on milk have increased significantly; recognises the pressure this is putting on farmers in Herefordshire; is concerned that the average dairy farmer earns just £2.90 an hour for a 70-hour week; and calls on the Government to toughen up the Supermarket Code of Practice and do more to encourage farmers' co-operatives to ensure a fair and equitable distribution of the retail price of milk.

Signatures by party: Conservative 62, Liberal Democrat 7, Labour 4, DUP 2, Plaid Cymru 1.