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"Another kick in the teeth" for dairy farmers
cows
Dairy Crest and First Milk will cut their prices further in 2015.
Dairy Crest and First Milk announce further milk price cuts

The dairy crisis has deepened this week as Dairy Crest and First Milk announced they will make further cuts to milk prices this year.

Chairman of the National Farmer's Union dairy board, Rob Harrison, referred to the cuts as "another kick in the teeth" for dairy farmers, who are suffering significant losses with every litre of milk they produce.

From January 3, 2015, Dairy Crest will drop their prices by 1.25 pence per litre (ppl). First Milk will cut theirs by 1 ppl for the liquid pool and 1.1 ppl for the manufacturing pool.

First Milk's chairman Sir Jim Paice MP, said: "Unfortunately market indicators for core dairy products have declined further since the start of November. In order to put our milk prices in line with projected market returns, we need to reduce our milk prices further."

Similarly, Dairy Crest's procurement director Mike Sheldon said the company cannot maintain the current price "against the backdrop of such extreme market volatility and increasing levels of milk production".

Commenting on the news, Mr Harrison said: "I do understand the market fundamentals, but ask this: why do farmers never get the market highs when global commodity prices are at their highest but suffer more than they should when commodity prices hit the floor?

"While the global market situation remains difficult, we need UK processors and retailers to support our farmers in ensuring a long term sustainable future for domestic milk production."

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.