Farmers angry at Government UHT plans

11:29am Tuesday 16th October 2007

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Farmers are furious at Government plans to stop people drinking fresh milk to save the planet from global warming.

Officials at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) have proposed consumers switch to UHT (Ultra-Heat Treated) milk.

The plan is part of the Government's strategy to ensure 90 per cent of milk on sale would not require refrigeration by 2020.

It was revealed in a Government paper which was sent out last month to the dairy industry.

It does not aim to reduce the use of domestic fridges because UHT milk must be kept chilled once opened.

The paper states: "Retail and domestic refrigeration is an area with the potential for significant impact reduction.

"The milk chain should enhance the development, marketing and placement of UHT milk products."

It also states consumers might not buy UHT milk because there is little on display.

But Sussex farmers have reacted angrily to the proposals because the industry has already been rocked by foot and mouth and bluetongue.

National Farmers' Union (NFU) dairy board chairman Gwyn Jones, who keeps 750 dairy cattle on Crouchlands Farm, near Billingshurst, accused the Government of plotting against farmers.

He said: "Defra are completely against us. There is no doubt there are individuals in Defra who see dairy farmers as bad for the environment.

"We have struggled to cope with foot and mouth, bluetongue and, in some parts of the county, tuberculosis.

"Given all of that, to start talking about this demonstrates Defra is not on the side of dairy farmers in this country.

"When I look up from my fields where my cows are grazing I see dozens of planes flying overhead from Gatwick.

"It is crazy for the Government to blame dairy farmers for the problems with the environment."

An NFU South East spokeswoman said: "Any environmental targets which are set for the dairy industry must have the support of that industry and must be practicable and achievable.

"The NFU would not want any targets set which would compromise the economic viability of the dairy sector, which has been very fragile.

"The last few years have been awful for dairy farmers and we do not want nanny state environmental targets."

A Defra spokeswoman said the Government would make a decision on the future of fresh milk next spring after speaking to dairy farmers.

She said: "The Government is not and will not be telling people what kind of milk to drink. People need to make their own decisions.

"The Government's role is, however, to provide the facts to help us make informed choices based on a range of considerations, one of which is the need to take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions."

Would you ditch fresh milk for UHT? Tell us what you think about the Government's plan below.