DAIRY farmer co-op First Milk has announced that it will be holding its member milk price for June 2020 at its current level.

This means its liquid standard litre will remain at 26.75ppl, whilst its manufacturing standard litre will remain at 27.63ppl, both including its member premium.

Commenting on the announcement, farmer director and vice-chairman, Jim Baird, said: “The effective shutdown of the foodservice sector as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted dairy markets, which have fallen sharply. Uncertainty continues, especially in relation to the easing of lockdown restrictions, and how long it will take for demand, and indeed the wider economy, to recover.

"As such, it remains hard to determine what the total impact of COVID-19 will be on dairy markets in the UK or globally in the months ahead.

“Of course, over time, we will not be completely insulated from the impact on the dairy markets, but as a farmer-owned co-operative we will continue to work to provide as much stability as possible for our members at this time.”