Supply must meet demand (From Western Telegraph)

Supply must meet demand

Organic dairy farmers in West Wales are being forced to sell half their milk into the conventional market because retailers wont stock it.

Producers like Lawrence Harris, of Ffosyficer, Boncath, want to encourage retailers, restaurants, coffee shops and other outlets to give their customers the choice of organic dairy products.

It follows a survey commissioned by the Welsh organic milk co-operative, OMSCo, which reveals a significant demand for this milk.

The research showed over 300,000 people in Wales cannot buy the organic milk they want through lack of availability on the high street - despite a nationwide surplus.

According to the poll, the current UK surplus would be taken up if 1.9 million consumers across the UK were able to find and buy organic milk. One in three outlets surveyed said they did not stock organic milk or dairy products because they assumed there was little demand for it.

Lawrence Harris, a member of OMSCo, is calling on consumers to support the co-operatives MOMA - Make Organic Milk Available campaign.

This independent survey shows there are millions of people who want to buy organic milk and dairy products and are prepared to pay a premium for them but cant get them, he said.

We need a change of attitude on the high street, this would be good for consumers, good for retailers and good for British organic farmers.

We are calling on the British public to support the MOMA campaign by asking for organic milk if they cant find it, whether in their local corner shop, garage, coffee bar, gym or restaurant.