Dear Sir,

I am writing anonymously because, as a dairy farmer supplying Leprino Foods in NI, I feel I have nowhere else to turn to express my anger and frustration over the current milk price being paid to farmers.

I am now approaching retirement and after a lifetime of dairy farming, I never thought I would reach this stage of feeling so disillusioned about the future of the industry.

The current milk price is simply not good enough. I cannot understand why Leprino always seems to be behind other processors when it comes to what farmers are being paid. Since Leprino took over from Glanbia Cheese, I struggle to see what they have actually done for their suppliers.

We have had no support payments like farmers supplying some other processors have received, and we never seem to get a 13th payment either - Leprino suppliers are continually left without that additional support.

Meeting

What is particularly frustrating is that we haven’t had a suppliers’ meeting in nearly a year and a half.

Surely, farmers deserve the opportunity to sit down face-to-face with the company and ask questions about the milk price and the direction of the business.

Leprino changed their payment structure and in an ideal world it would create a good price but they have made it so hard to achieve all to get the bonus, that it is keeping us down.

There needs to be an urgent suppliers’ meeting. Farmers need answers.

We need to know why our price continues to lag behind and what Leprino intends to do about it.

It is difficult not to ask whether the reason for the lack of a meeting is that the company doesn’t want to have to face its suppliers and explain why it is paying us so poorly.

Whatever the reason, the lack of communication is completely unacceptable. Farmers deserve transparency and respect.

Breaking point

We have seen what can happen when farmers finally reach breaking point. I understand that with Tirlán, the situation only really began to change when farmers started handing in their notice periods at a suppliers’ meeting. It became so serious, that the meeting had to be abandoned.

Is that what it is going to take with Leprino? Do farmers have to start handing in their notice before anyone will wake up and listen to them?

And this isn’t just about money on a monthly milk cheque. There are real consequences for farms and families.

Since the last suppliers’ meeting, I know of at least four farmers who have exited dairy farming. In my view, financial constraints have been a major factor in those decisions.

How many more farmers have to leave before something is done?

Something needs to happen very quickly, before more men and women are forced out of the industry.

Dairy farming requires enormous investment, long hours and a huge amount of commitment. Farmers cannot keep going indefinitely if the financial return is not there.

Stick together

But farmers also need to look at ourselves. When are we going to wake up and stick together? If we continue to accept being paid less while other processors are providing support payments, then what incentive is there for anything to change?

I am not looking for an argument with Leprino. I am looking for a fair deal and some basic communication with the people who supply the milk that keeps the business going.

I hope you will consider publishing this letter. There are undoubtedly other farmers who feel the same frustration but may be reluctant to put their names to it.

I have spent most of my life milking cows.

I would hate to see younger farmers forced to walk away simply because the figures no longer stack up.

Something needs to be done, and it needs to be done now — before more farmers decide they have no choice but to exit dairying.

Yours sincerely,

NI Leprino supplier