The DFS has asked farmers to join its invoice campaign

Dairy Farmers of Scotland has sent out more than 1,000 letters seeking backing for its proposal to send out hundreds of demands for payment from 1 December.

Stranraer-based spokesman John Watson said the response so far had been "99.9%" positive.

Once the full results of the survey are collated a decision will be taken on the mass-invoicing of milk buyers.

Mr Watson said the situation in his part of south west Scotland was typical of the industry across the country.

The retailer takes the money, passes some of it on to the processor, who passes none of it to the farmer John Watson DFS spokesman

"Over the summer there we had about 17 farms sold in the Rhins," he said.

"They have just had enough - and these are people who are just 15 miles from the nearest creamery.

"I moved down here about six years ago and the number of farms lost since then has been scary."

Mr Watson said the Dairy Farmers of Scotland (DFS) had already received support from across the country.

He said the group had been formed in an attempt to present a united front from farmers.

"The problem remains with the 3p to 4p that should be in the farmer's pocket - everybody says it should be there - but the processors and retailers will not give it," he said.

Farmers have regularly protested at milk prices in the past

DFS sent out its questionnaire to gauge support for sending out invoices from farms across Scotland.

A decision will be taken after the AgriScot farm business event at Ingliston this week.

If support tops 80% of those questioned the DFS has said it will provide a template for them to submit invoices for the extra funds.

Mr Watson added that he felt the public would support their action too.

Retailer warning

"People who have nothing to do with farming are saying we will pay 5p or 10p - whatever you want," said Mr Watson.

"The retailer takes the money, passes some of it on to the processor, who passes none of it to the farmer."

The move comes at the same time as a leading retailer warned the UK might have to import milk from Europe within five years if more was not done to help dairy farmers.