A SERIES of 'crisis meetings' has been launched to seek an increase in the farm-gate price of milk.

The National Farmers' Union - which say that most farmers are receiving 4p/litre less than it costs to produce their milk - is pushing the talks with dairy suppliers and retailers. In July, the price to farmers was cut by a penny per litre and the next price-setting is to be made on October 1.

"Dairy processors need to understand the enormous pressure that the low farm-gate price is placing on farmers," said NFU president Ben Gill. At present, says the NFU, two dairy farmers leave the industry every day.

Updated: 09:18 Thursday, September 05, 2002