PRICE OF MILK

Early day motion 61, tabled 23 November 2004 by James Paice (Conservative). Signed by 83 members.

That this House notes with concern the recent Milk Development Council Report highlighting the drop in farmgate prices for milk when supermarket margins on milk have increased significantly; is further concerned that the average dairy farmer earns just ú2.90 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 56, Labour 7, Liberal Democrat 4, Scottish National Party 4, DUP 3, UUP 3, Labour/Co-operative 2, Plaid Cymru 2, Independent 1, Independent Conservative 1.