UK: Tesco announces 6 million pounds investment to support dairy farmers | Progresiv
Tesco announced that it will invest 6 million pounds over two years to help support struggling dairy farmers. The retailer has created the new Tesco Cheese Group (TCG), which will guarantee dairy farmers an above market price for the milk they produce for Tesco’s British own label Mild, Medium, Mature, Extra Mature, Red Leicester and Double Gloucester cheese. The group said the move was aimed at delivering a fair and consistent pricing model for UK farmers, and will provide them with the security and ability to plan ahead for the future. 
Commercial Director for Fresh Food Matt Simister said: “We have created this new cheese group to help us to meet customers’ needs whilst also establishing a long term sustainable livelihood for our farmers. By providing them with the assurance of our commitment, we are hoping to give our producers the confidence to invest so that they can deliver what customers are looking for in an efficient way. ‘It is our hope that up to 200 more dairy farms across Britain who produce milk for our British cheese, in addition to the 600 producing milk through the TSDG, can work with us in partnership to create a successful and sustainable future for their production.
Tesco added that the new mechanism provides “clear, equitable and transparent pricing” which will be set regularly throughout the year. The price will reflect the market and will also award farmers a two pence per litre bonus- in recognition that they must adhere to the Red Tractor assurance scheme, as well as additional Tesco welfare standards, to improve cow health and welfare. (www.kamcity.com)
