TEWKESBURY MP Laurence Robertson has raised the question of farm-gate milk prices with agriculture minister Alun Michael in the House of Commons.

Mr Robertson said he knew of two main farmers who had given up milk production because it was no longer profitable and more might well follow.

"The situation is dire for them," Mr Robertson said.

"Two of my biggest milk producers have given up and, if more follow across the country, all that will happen is that we will import more and more milk from abroad. What is the point of this?"

He pointed out that the percentage of the total retail price of milk going to farmers had reduced from 60 per cent to 40 per cent over the last ten years, making it very unprofitable for them to produce milk.

Mr Robertson said: "The minister has failed to give any proper explanation for the change and failed to recognise the seriousness of the situation.

This is very worrying indeed."