FARM & COUNTRYL: New Dairy Group Attacked

ROBERT Wiseman Dairies has attacked the formation of an independent producers group by dairy farmers from Cheshire, Staffordshire, Shropshire and North Wales.

The Independent Producer Group (IPG) is seeking support from Tesco dairy suppliers, including those from Arla, Wiseman and Dairy Farmers of Britain. Set up in July, it already has 120 members accounting for 200m litres annual production, and is gaining support daily, according to group secretary Ros Rimmer. She said it was not encouraging producers to resign contracts but aimed to give the industry more clout on contractual issues.

Pete Nicholson of Robert Wiseman Dairies said its suppliers were “contructively” represented by Wiseman Milk Partnership (WMP), a democratic producer group, and Wiseman saw absolutely no reason to recognise alternative groups which do not share this status.

For details on the IPG, contact 01829 773000 or visit the Carver Knowles stand at The Dairy Event, September 19-20.

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