RIBBLE Valley MP Nigel Evans is urging the government to consider imposing a levy on supermarket milk sales to protect the future of dairy farming.

The Tory backbencher has contacted agriculture minister George Eustice over the scheme.

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Mr Evans’ suggestion, the latest stage of his campaign to win a “fair deal” for dairy farmers, has been backed by his Pendle Tory colleague Andrew Stephenson.

He is concerned that the number of dairy farms in the UK has halved in the last 10 years to below 10,000 for the first time ever.

Mr Evans said: “If the supermarket regulator cannot persuade the big store chains to pay a fair price for milk, drastic action is necessary.

“I have asked Mr Eustice to consider a small levy on every pint sold to go directly to dairy farmers so they can earn a living, make a profit and invest in their farms and herds.

“Dairy farmers are the backbone of rural Britain and crucial not just to my constituency of Ribble Valley but across East Lancashire in areas like Pendle and Rossendale.

“It is vital the government does more to protect their industry from such low prices.

“Some supermarkets are now selling four pints of milk for 89p, almost as cheap as water.

“I am sure that consumers would be happy to support dairy farmers in the Ribble Valley and elsewhere by paying a fair price for milk, rather than see them fall victim to supermarket price wars.

“Local farmers are facing the incredibly difficult situation of falling milk prices whilst energy and feed costs are rising.

“I think people would happily pay a few pence extra is they knew it was going direct to farmers to protect their livelihoods..

“The dairy industry cannot survive if this trend continues.”

“That is why I have contacted the Farming Minister George Eustice to propose a new levy on milk prices to help protect the interests of farming communities.”

Mt Stephenson said: “We need to everything we can to protect our dairy industry.

“I am concerned about the effect of low wholesale milk prices on Pendle’s farming community .

“This is definitely an idea Mr Eustice needs to consider seriously if a voluntary solution cannot be found.”