By Anna Burdett

Last updated at 12:54, Thursday, 12 July 2012

Cumbrian farmers joined thousands from across the country at an emergency dairy summit in London after milk prices were slashed twice in two months.

The milk price cuts have reduced the income of county farmers by thousands of pounds and left many questioning their future.

Farming minister Jim Paice faced hostile questioning during Wednesday’s summit at Central Hall,Westminster.

There was booing when he suggested farmers needed to be more efficient in the face of lower prices and laughter when he said he did not know the price of a pint of milk.

Cumbrian NFU county chairman Alan Dickinson from Penrith and Armathwaite farmers Dougie Graves and Brian Harrison joined the throng.

Mr Graves said few county farmers had made it to the capital but many more travelled to another NFU crisis meeting at Haydock Racecourse last night.

Mr Graves said: “Brian and I had a chat and decided we must go to London as we are two of the bigger dairy farmers in the county. Something has to be done.”

In the morning, Mr Paice met industry representatives to continue talks to set up a voluntary code of practice and more favourable contracts for dairy farmers. Many are already talking about taking direct action if the price does not go up soon.

First published at 11:29, Thursday, 12 July 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk