Although spontaneous milk protests have already cropped up across the country since processors announced a second round of cuts to farm gate milk prices in less than a quarter two weeks ago, direct action group Farmers for Action has announced it will begin to coordinate actions to target supermarkets the group has suggested have contributed to the cuts through unsustainable business practices.

Following last week’s emergency dairy summit, farming unions in the UK pledged to support farmers who mount actions against retailers and processors; the latest price cuts mean many UK producers are being paid 5 pence per litre below the cost of production.

The NFU launched a ‘name and shame’ poster campaign on Friday, since which time the three supermarkets featured on the campaign posters have agreed to augment the premiums paid to their dairy suppliers. Nevertheless, the group responded, “At last noises appear to be coming from milk processors with regard to our demands but until we have a deal on the table, which is money back and no more cuts, pressure and action will continue commencing this week as previously stated info will be available from Wednesday.”

Farmers for Action today disclosed information on actions that will be going ahead this week on its website, having first made its intentions known on Monday. In a statement, FFA said, “It is imperative that the action be peaceful and to our best ability within the law. It is our intention, along with our coalition partners, to ratchet up the pressure on both retailers and processers in the next 10 days.”  

Although action was promised if cuts inflicted since May were not repealed by 1st August, FFA announced today that  protests are set to go ahead Thursday, with meetings already arranged in Leicestershire, Yorkshire and Devon.

Tweet