Farmers for Action has stepped up its ongoing protest over dairy prices. Focusing on the fallout from the Russian trade embargo, the group is this week calling on the government to redistribute surplus dairy supplies.

On Tuesday, European farm group Copa Cogeca called on the EU to make more funds available for farmers bearing the brunt of Russia's ban on agricultural produce, food and drink imports from the EU. Copa's secretary general Pekka Pesonen said that support funding should be extended to dairy producers as well as horticulture growers who have been unable to find alternative markets or adequate storage for their perishable produce.

On Wednesday, Farmers for Action announced that it will launch an e-petition calling on Defra to "distribute [surplus dairy] product to the needy through food banks."

FFA claimed that the sanctions – the result of an ongoing diplomatic spat between Russia and several national governments over actions in the Ukraine – mean stocks of dairy products have increased and "British dairy farmers are about to face a catastrophic collapse in milk prices."

The group claims that, logistically, redistribution could go ahead given a 'can do' attitude, for the benefit of those in need and dairy farmers. FFA has also said it is prepared to stage more direct action protests, and is consulting with its members on the subject.