Representatives from the Scottish Government, NFU Scotland, processors, retailers and finance sectors have been invited to a summit in the Scottish Parliament to consider the issues affecting the dairy sector in Scotland.
Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead will chair the group that will discuss what more can be done to help the sector and how to build on progress made under the Scottish Government's dairy action plan.
Mr Lochhead said: "Our dairy sector is facing a number of on-going challenges including low prices which have resulted in hardship for many producers.
"I recognise that much of the current difficulty stems from unfavourable global market conditions, but I believe that progress can be made on a number of areas that, collectively, would help increase the resilience of the sector - which is why I am inviting key industry figures to meet me to discuss what further steps that can be taken to help the sector, building on the dairy action plan I published last year."
NFU Scotland Milk Committee chairman Graeme Kilpatrick, who farms at Craigie, near Kilmarnock said: "This is a summit that must produce action as the depth of crisis in Scotland's dairy sector is unprecedented and all parts of the chain - Governments (EU, UK and Scottish), retailers and processors need to recognise the dire state of the sector at producer level.
"Global oversupply and weak commodity prices are wreaking havoc. Longer term, the market will rebalance, but not soon. That means the dairy sector must collaborate, and governments and creditors must support farmers over the next 12 months.
"NFUS believes there is a role for a focused task force that brings in key players such as government, senior banking leaders, experts and farmers to identify strategic and well-considered, short-term actions. That approach would dovetail with the work we will be engaged in next week at a European level where we will be urging all UK ministers to work with the EU to secure short interim dairy remedies, such as specific volume reduction incentives, intervention, and longer term market related tools."
Market round-up
Lawrie & Symington Ltd sold 459 store heifers at their March show and sale in Lanark on Tuesday to a top of £1330 per head and 268.2p per kg to average £872.39 or 215.1p, while 727 store, beef-bred bullocks peaked at £1300 and 287.7p to level at 946.69 or 227.5p. Thirty-two store, dairy-bred bullocks averaged £839.17 or 147.3p.
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