Following on from the spate of blockades against processors and retailers this summer, dairy farmers have recommenced direct action to protest against the price they are being paid for milk. Farmers demonstrated at the Muller Wiseman Dairy plant in Droitwich, Worcestershire on Wednesday, demanding better returns on the milk they supply.  

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Around 30 farmers with tractors prevented lorries from entering or leaving the plant. The blockade was called by Farmers for Action, the group which coordinated many of the summer's actions.

Although many processors have increased prices over the past four months, at 29pence per litre, returns from Muller Wiseman are still below the price of production which stands at 32ppl, according to Farmers for Action.

In the wake of dairy protests this summer, farming representatives and processors reached an agreement to repeal proposed price cuts and establish a voluntary code of practice to improve farmers' bargaining position within the supply chain. However, FFA said that one of the Campaign's key objectives, establishing a milk price that covers cost of production, has still not been met.

The protesting farmers said that none of the major processors signed up to the voluntary code are complying with the agreement. A spokesperson for the group said "Negotiations have broken down and farmers are not receiving the money."

FFA announced a second protest will be held tonight in the North-West, and said more protests will go ahead before the holidays.

A Muller spokesperson commented in response to Wednesday's blockade, saying, "We are extremely frustrated to be targeted by 30 people from the militant Farmers for Action group most of whom have no connection whatsoever with our company, and some of whom do not even own dairy herds."