Almost half of British dairy farmers could leave the industry if the price they are paid for their produce does not improve within the next six months, a survey warns.

And Dorset National Farmers' Union (NFU) county chairman Trevor Cligg said this could "devastate the countryside".

The survey by the Royal Association for British Dairy Farmers (RABDF) also revealed that 45 per cent of those not planning to leave the sector if conditions do not improve have put any expansion plans on hold.

It comes as the NFU sits down with supermarket bosses today to discuss the crisis.

The union has announced an action plan, calling for longer, fairer contracts for farmers and for supermarkets to "stop devaluing British food purely to get customers through the door".

NFU chief food chain advisor Ruth Mason suggested that positive steps are being taken by retailers are taking positive steps, saying: “While these changes are unlikely to lead to a rapid upturn in milk prices, they are substantial moves in the right direction.”

Mr Cligg echoed the calls for changes in retailers’ policies. But he added that the milk price crisis is a complex issue.

He said: “One minute swallow does not make a summer. It won’t make a significant difference overall. The global options have improved a little but anyone who gets excited about that is pretty unrealistic.

“One of the main issues is the Russian embargo. The EU have said they will put money in to help, but farmers are paying the price of a political decision that has nothing to do with us.”

He added that consumers can help by choosing to buy British and buy local products, but this will only work to an extent.

“what would really help is if all supermarkets sold at the correct price. As it is, it’s devaluing the whole market."

He also warned of the effects on the countryside economy if the issue is not resolved soon.

“There are huge repercussions if a farmer does go out of business. It is not just one person losing a job. It is also employees, contractors. It would devastate the countryside.”