Tesco offers help to organic milk suppliers

Farmers supplying organic milk to Tesco are set to receive free inspections and technical support in a bid to encourage suppliers to invest in developing organic production.

New and existing organic producer members of the Organic Milk Suppliers Co-operative will receive about £400 for the next three years to cover the costs of inspections.

The scheme is part of the retailer’s commitment to developing the organic dairy sector, Tesco said.

It hopes the money will offset some of the cost of converting to organic production, as well as encouraging innovation and product development to help increase the availability of organic milk. According to the retailer, demand for organic dairy products in its stores is growing by 45% year-on-year.

Nicholas Saphir, OMSCo’s executive chairman, said the initiative was a huge boost for organic dairy producers.

“We are delighted Tesco understands the difficulties dairy farmers have been facing over the last few years,” he said. “It will ensure that OMSCo producers will have the confidence to invest.”

Kari Daniels, Tesco’s trading director for chilled food, said the payment was a way to support the next generation of organic dairy producers directly.