Shropshire dairy farmers urged to continue fight

Campaign group Farmers For Action (FFA) has called on protesters to continue targeting supermarkets – but to leave out Morrisons after the chain pledged to introduce a new brand to support farmers directly.

Chairman of the FFA David Handley spoke after the crisis meeting between directors of the supermarket chain and industry leaders.

He said while the initiative launched by Morrisons to create a brand of milk supporting farmers was a "step in the right direction", protests must continue at other supermarkets.

He said: "I would ask you not to target Morrisons in any further protests while these sensitive talks continue. I believe it is important that protests continue over the coming days and weeks until we finally reach a conclusion in all sectors to enable everyone to be paid a fair price and farm businesses can return to profit.

"I hope that they will continue in the exemplary, well balanced way as over the previous week.

"Once again both retail distribution centres and the food service sector will be the targets, and together with continuation of the highly successful trolley challenges and dashes we will keep the pressure up on those retailers who continue to de-value our products."

Over the last two weeks, farmers have taken part in campaigns at stores, removing milk from the shelves and buying it before giving it away to members of the public for free or a donation to charity.

Farmers argued that they are being paid almost nothing for the milk they produce so they gave it to customers for free. Some also took cows into a branch of Asda in Stafford.

Mr Handley said: "I would stress that we ask everyone to be safety conscious where livestock is involved.

"We do not condone taking livestock directly into stores and believe that to continue having them visiting outside store and engaging with the public, as has been done so successfully over the last 10 days, is highly attractive and should continue."