RIBBLE Valley MP Nigel Evans has written to the grocery industry ‘Tsar’ Christine Tacon urging urgent action over supermarket milk prices before dozens more dairy farmers are forced out of business.

His latest intervention comes as pressure on supermarkets on the issue grows.

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Yesterday Environment Secretary Liz Truss met industry leaders following weeks of protests and demonstrations across the country.

Mr Evans told Groceries Code Adjudicator Ms Tacon: “I am writing to you with the serious concerns I have over the current state of milk pricing in the UK, and with a request for you to take urgent action to help dairy farmers.

“You will be aware that dairy farmers are the backbone of rural Britain and I hope that you will agree with me that the current situation cannot go on, with the number of dairy farmers below 10,000 for the first time in the UK.

“I led a Westminster Hall debate on this subject in February where I proposed the introduction of a milk levy, to go directly to the producer.

“This would ensure that price wars between supermarkets do not unfairly impact dairy farmers.”

Mr Evans said: “Some dairy farmers in the Ribble Valley are selling their milk far below cost and thereby subsidising large retailers.

“This situation is totally untenable.

“The dairy industry cannot turn the tap on and off.

“If they leave the industry we could end up with a situation where the world price goes up and consumers then suffer.

“That would be obscene and supermarkets must be made to pay more to hard-pressed milk producers in the Ribble Valley and across the UK.”

Following the protests, Morrisons launched a brand of dairy products to support dairy farmers, while Aldi and Asda pledged to pay at least 28p per litre.

Tesco and Sainsbury’s have so far ruled out similar moves.

Farmers estimate it costs them 30 to 32p to produce a litre of milk but are paid just 23.66p ,a drop of 25 per cent in a year.