Milk price 'detrimental to children'

Researchers looking into the cost of milk say its high price is detrimental to the health of children.

Dr Louise Signal and Moira Smith are researchers at Otago University's Department of Public Health.

They say the de-regulation of the milk market since the 1980s has significantly reduced milk's accessibility and affordability.

Despite the price being paid to farmers plunging this year, the retail price for two litres of milk remains the same as a year ago at around $3.21.

They say just 38 per cent of children drink milk daily - and 17 per cent do not drink it at all.

- NEWSTALK ZB