A report, recently written by Professor Colman from Manchester University, makes sober reading for anyone who cares about the future of the dairy industry.

Prof Colman produced an initial report last year after interviewing 350 dairy farmers. In this original report he stated that the UK dairy industry would continue to hit quota provided the farmgate milk price does not drop below 16p/litre. However, after resurveying those same farmers earlier this year, he has now issued a much more pessimistic report.

In his recent report he suggested that with the milk price at its current level the UK would be a billion litres under quota by the 2007/8 milk quota year. The large number of apparently profitable farms that had given up milk production particularly surprised ProfColman. He argued that in recent years the milk produced by those who were expanding had replaced the milk lost from those who had retired, but in the last few years this has stopped happening.

All of these factors come back to the same issue. Unless and until dairy farmers are paid a fair price for the milk they produce the rapid exodus from the industry will continue and probably accelerate. Consumers, retailers and processors must all realise that if the returns to primary producers do not increase then it will not be long before we will be short of domestically produced food. Everyone must remember that milk produced in this country is amongst the best in the world in terms of quality and animal welfare standards and so we must not be dependent on imported products.

A relatively small increase in the price of milk in the shops (perhaps only two or three pence a litre), which could then be passed back to farmers, would be enough to restore the industry to viability and profitability. Of course, we can expect no favours from this government.

They are more than happy to turn a blind eye as retailers drive down farmgate prices as a way of keeping inflation down.

I also believe that farmers can do more to help themselves.

As a member of Milk Link, I strongly believe farmers should work together because by being divided we are not getting the price we deserve for the product. I am delighted that more and more of the UK's dairy processing capacity is being owned by producers strengthening their position in the marketplace.

Despite these improvements, it remains imperative that we get a higher return from the retailers. Without this, Prof Colman's pessimistic report may soon turn from a prediction into a reality.

The WFU is keen to hear from any like-minded individuals who share our passion from British food and are keen to do their bit to promote it. If anyone is interested in joining us then please call our secretary, Ann Cross, on 01398 361212.