UK’s Dairy Industry Becomes Even More Consolidated with Muller Takeover of Wisemans

Press Statement: Brussels—“The announcement that the German company Muller is taking over British dairy monolith Wisemans, which supplies 30 per cent of the UK’s fresh milk, is not good news, and farmers know it. It is yet another example of the disastrous concentration in the dairy industry that is driving hundreds of UK family-owned dairies out of business, and even more across the EU. More are likely to follow as the international company makes money from economies of scale derived by slashing farm gate prices so supermarkets can continue to sell milk as a loss leader. This is only possible because so many farmers are forced to sell at less than the cost of production.

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Food

Statement by Wenonah Hauter, Executive Director, Food & Water Europe

Brussels—“The announcement that the German company Muller is taking over British dairy monolith Wisemans, which supplies 30 per cent of the UK’s fresh milk, is not good news, and farmers know it. It is yet another example of the disastrous concentration in the dairy industry that is driving hundreds of UK family-owned dairies out of business, and even more across the EU. More are likely to follow as the international company makes money from economies of scale derived by slashing farm gate prices so supermarkets can continue to sell milk as a loss leader. This is only possible because so many farmers are forced to sell at less than the cost of production.

“What makes commercial sense for big businesses too often does not make sense for farmers, the countryside, animal welfare or, ultimately, consumers who want their hard earned money to support real food and farming. We will be watching all these areas very closely to ensure Muller does the right thing. The fact Muller recently cut the price it pays by 0.5 pence is not a good start.”

Food & Water Europe is a program of Food & Water Watch, Inc., a non-profit consumer NGO based in Washington, D.C., working to ensure clean water and safe food in Europe and around the world. We challenge the corporate control and abuse of our food and water resources by empowering people to take action and transforming the public consciousness about what we eat and drink.

Contact: Eve Mitchell – [email protected], tel + 44 (0)1381 610 740)