FARMERS in East Lancashire are killing new born calves because it is cheaper than rearing them, it was claimed today.

And 15 dairy farms in Ribble Valley are on the brink of collapse because of the dramatic fall in the price of milk.

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans was given the startling news during an emergency meeting with local farmers to discuss the crisis facing their industry.

Calves that cost £15 to rear and sold for £150 three years ago were now only fetching 20p, the MP heard.

And Mr Evans has called on the Government to support the farmers before they go to the wall.

He said: "Agriculture Minister Nick Brown clearly does not understand the severity of the crisis and consumers are unaware because of the huge difference in the price farmers get for their milk and what supermarkets sell it for.

"It's absolutely depressing. The farmers are not asking for special treatment, just a level playing field. And it's not just their livelihoods that are at stake. Vets, maintenance workers, farm machinery firms and all countryside workers are being hit sideways.

"An entire industry is withering on the vine and if something is not done soon the British dairy industry will be left irreparably damaged," he said.

Slaidburn dairy farmer Paul Kenny said he had heard some producers were killing calves rather than stand the cost of rearing them. "The situation is very bad. The public doesn't realise how broken dairy farmers are. I have a suitcase full of letters on this matter. I have 14 calves that I should have hit over the head when they were born, but I just couldn't do it. But I have heard that some farmers are culling calves, rather than rear them. Is this what the public wants? It's absolutely heartbreaking," he said.

David Clarke, the North-West dairy spokesman for the National Farmerrs' Union, said the situation facing farmers was "extremely desperate."

"This is the worst crisis in the dairy industry since the 1930s and was highlighted at a recent meeting of Lancashire dairy farmers, who expressed their frustration at a Government report which failed to appreciate the severity of the situation. We are calling for measures to make the British dairy industry more competitive and asking farmers to lobby their MPs."

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