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Farming Today: Dairy Crest Takeover; Minks; Mushrooms

07/11/2014

Dairy Crest Takeover; Minks; Mushrooms

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, Dairy Crest Takeover; Minks; Mushrooms

What will the sale of Dairy Crest's milk business to Muller mean for UK dairy farmers?

What will the sale of Dairy Crest's milk business to Muller mean for UK dairy farmers? Charlotte Smith hears from Muller's CEO, Ronald Kers, who says they will honour contracts.

In one of the biggest deals of its kind for years, Dairy Crest is selling its milk business to Muller-Wiseman for £80 million. The sale will include the fresh liquid milk, flavoured milk, cream, butter and milk powder businesses, 3 processing plants, around 70 depots and 700 contracts with dairy farmers. As we hear from Muller UK's CEO, Ronald Kers, they're promising to honour contracts with dairy farmers. Dairy Co, which works on behalf of British dairy farmers, says that the sale of Dairy Crest represents a big change.

All this week we've been hearing about invasive species, and their impact on the countryside. Today, it's the turn of the mink, which is firmly established in many parts of the country, after escaping or being released from fur farms. Nancy Nicolson reports from Perthshire.

Europe's largest mushroom farm is situated in the west of England. Monaghan's near Bristol produces 185,000 kilogrammes of mushrooms every week. Food Programme reporter Dan Saladino takes a look behind the scenes.

Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Mark Smalley.

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