TATTON MP Esther McVey is to meet with Defra to discuss providing extra support for hard-pressed farmers during the coronavirus pandemic.

Ms McVey said from conversations she was having with local dairy farmers they were struggling with the demand for milk drying up, and it was ‘heart-breaking’ to see reports of milk being poured away as the demand was not there.

She said: “These are unprecedented times, and it is right we think outside of the box and look at ways to help the industry deliver much-needed supplies of milk and food.

“This pandemic is creating enormous challenges right across the country, so we need to find solutions wherever possible and adapt to the new circumstances we find ourselves in.

“I will be speaking to colleagues at Defra this week to see if there is anything else we can do to help our hard-working farmers during these extremely worrying times and will be keeping in touch with my farmers, as I have been, to ensure they know what help is available to them.”

It is estimated five per cent of milk supply is used in take away drinks alone so with the closure of all restaurants, hotels and other venues, demand is at an all-time low.

Earlier this month Government announced temporary changes to rules allowing retailers, suppliers and logistic services to work together to re-direct supply but decided to go further to help surplus milk go to waste.

Environment Secretary George Eustice said: “Our dairy industry plays a crucial role in feeding the nation and it is essential they are able to work together at this time.

“We’ve heard loud and clear our dairy farmers’ concerns, which is why we are further suspending competition rules law to allow dairy farmers to work together on some of the most pressing challenges they are facing.

“I am also urging farm businesses to access the loans that are available from their bank to support them in this period.

“We welcome our farmers’ heroic efforts in ensuring food supplies remain resilient and will continue to support them through this difficult time.”

Dairy UK and the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) will now lead work to bring the industry together to identify spare processing capacity, how to stimulate demand and how production could be temporarily reduced.