First Milk boss says business is safe after payment deferral

Image source, PA

Image caption, The deferral of payment came after months of falling milk prices

A dairy co-operative boss says the business is "very safe" after payment for milk was delayed by two weeks.

Vice-chairman at First Milk, Nigel Evans, said the deferral was prompted by a cash flow problem in the business.

He sought to reassure members in an saying "every drop" of milk will be collected and paid for.

He added: "That's why these moves have been made and the purpose of those moves [payment deferral] is to secure our future as dairy farmers."

A milk payment which was planned for Monday has been postponed until 26 January.

Mr Evans added: "I'm highly sympathetic and very understanding of the pressures that the decisions will have on farmers.

"These market conditions are really unprecedented and none of us are immune from that."