Direct dairy action not ruled out

01 May 1998

Direct dairy action not ruled out

THE Scottish National Farmers Union acknowledged the possibility of dairy farmers taking direct action as part of a campaign to focus ministers on the plight of the industry.

But Tom Thomson, milk convener, rejected calls for a four-day stoppage in which producers would withhold supplies from the market. He said this would play into the hand of those who would be only too pleased to find alternative suppliers.

Recent currency revaluations have reduced the ex-farm gate price for milk to a 20-year low of about 18ppl. Changes have also hit compensation rates paid for dairy calves.

Thomson said he was disappointed with recent remarks from Scottish agriculture minister Lord Sewel which were unsympathetic towards diarys predicament.

• The Herald 01/05/98 page 28