THE number of dairy farms in Lancashire has dropped by more than 300 since 2000, new figures have revealed.

Many farmers have started other ventures as there is not much money is producing milk, Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans said.

He has called for a parliamentary debate on the state of farming after the figures were revealed.

In Lancashire, the number of dairy farms has fallen from 990 in 2000 to 678. In the Ribble Valley the number dropped from 206 in 2000 to 134.

The Conservative MP said: “Farmers do all the essential work but in return are denied a fair whack for their work.

“Milk is an excellent example. We import the stuff into the UK but could produce much more.Many farmers are receiving less than the cost of production for their milk.

“The UK is now in the midst of a 40-year low on the production of milk. If the trend continues this will have a disastrous impact on our countryside.

“Now is the time to ask what swift action is needed to breathe new life into farming?”

Hurst Green farmer, John Wilkinson, who was forced out of the dairy business four years ago, supported the MP’s calls.

Mr Wilkinson, who owns the Hacking Boat House and Foxfields Farm in the village, now farms beef and sheep.

He said: “There was just no money in it and dairies who bought milk from us were going under.

"It was crippling us because they couldn’t afford to pay us.

“I blame the supermarkets who are selling milk as a loss leader.

"Something definitely needs to change in order for us to survive.”