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NFU President Peter Kendall has said that any high-profile protests by farmers against the price of fuel would be counter-productive. He did, however, acknowledge that the rise in fuel costs represents a major concern for farmers and said that the NFU was taking the issue seriously.

Mr Kendall said the NFU had discussed the issue with the Food and Drink Federation, and explored the possibilities of a joint-approach to highlighting the danger presented by rising fuel costs. He said the NFU would also be holding talks with the freight and haulage associations.

Although he admitted that road and heating fuel costs would hit people in rural areas particularly hard, Mr Kendall warned farmers against taking direct action, stating, "As Boris Johnson said this week, there is something wrong when it costs more to fill up your car than fly to Spain. Farmers are not the only ones to be affected by rising fuel prices and it makes sense for us to work together with other organisations."

Farmers for Action have recently called for direct action in response to the increasing fuel prices and falling price of milk. In 2000, fuel protests such as these brought refineries and depots to a standstill.

Nevertheless, the NFU President has dismissed the idea, saying, "We are not going to get any public sympathy or support if farmers are seen to be holding up motorway traffic with their tractors. Things are very different now than in 2000. The public are hit just as hard by fuel price rises and will not take kindly to having their daily lives disrupted at a time of economic uncertainty."