2004 articles

'Farmers and the public are united in wanting supermarkets to support small farms and sustainable GM-free agriculture. Farmers want to give their animals safe GM-free feed. Neither can happen without fair farmgate prices.' - Gerald Miles, representative for the Farmers Union of Wales (18000 members)

'The Fair Price for GM Free Milk Alliance', which met with representatives of UK supermarket giant Sainsbury's last Monday, includes Farmers for Action, the Farmers Union of Wales, The Small Farms Association, FARM, Small and Family Farmers Alliance, The Wholesome food Association, the Institute of Science in Society, Genetic Food Alert and the Genetic Engineering Network.
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FARMERS ALLIANCE LAUNCH MILK PRICE TALKS WITH SAINSBURYS
NEWS RELEASE

The Fair Price for GM Free Milk Alliance - a broad coalition of farming and food organizations - met this Monday with senior Sainsbury's representatives to demand policy changes to save small farms and sustainable agriculture in Britain. The alliance is calling for farmgate milk prices that will guarantee an income over the typical cost of production. In conjunction with this they are also demanding a date for the final phasing out of the use of GM animal feed in the production of all Sainsbury's milk.

The talks followed a recent blockade by representatives of the alliance at Sainsbury's Headquarters, and over nine months of campaigning at the supermarkets stores, as well as direct action at their depots.

The dialogue was a long one, overrunning by an hour, and agreement was reached to meet again in January. They had not considered the implications of the fact that the majority of their farmers work for much less than the minimum wage, and that this is driving over 40 UK dairy farms out of business every week.

They also seemed unaware that no company will insure against the risks associated with GM feed, either to livestock or to those who drink milk from cows fed GM.

Gerald Miles, representative for the Farmers Union of Wales (18000 members) explained, 'Farmers and the public are united in wanting supermarkets to support small farms and sustainable GM-free agriculture. Farmers want to give their animals safe GM-free feed. Neither can happen without fair farmgate prices.'

ENDS.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. The Alliance includes Farmers for Action, the Farmers Union of Wales, The Small Farms Association, FARM, Small and Family Farmers Alliance, The Wholesome food Association, the Institute of Science in Society, Genetic Food Alert and the Genetic Engineering Network.

2. It seems that while Sainsbury's are making attempts to source more dairy produce locally, and have installed longer fixed term contracts than in the past with their suppliers, they have no policy as yet to recognize or protect the diversity of British farms, and have little or no direct contact with their producers.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Gerald Miles, Farmers Union of Wales
07879 664 703
John Turner, FARM
07960 663020
John Clarke, Small Farms Association
01751 417 131