Shropshire dairy famer says Asda dispute must be settled

A Shropshire dairy farmer said it was essential Farmers For Action and Asda resolve their differences in an ongoing court dispute - so local farmers were not left out of pocket on milk prices.

Andrew Bebb, of Hanwood, near Shrewsbury, said dairy farmers were being sold short on liquid milk prices by the supermarket giant.

But a temporary injunction has been extended against FFA chairman David Handley and six other named FFA co-ordinators for the third time since the dispute arose in December.

The injunctions impose restrictions on the people named in the order aimed at "preventing any unlawful conduct which disrupts the activities of any Asda property" during protests.

It was initially granted ahead of planned FFA protests at Asda distributions depots before Christmas.

The two fractioning sides have been told to try and resolve the case out of court, ahead of the next hearing in Leeds on Friday.

Mr Bebb, a member of FFA, said it was important they were allowed to protest at Asda sites and distribution centres about the deal they were being given.

He said: "Twenty years ago we received a 50 per cent cut of the milk price, now we receive a 30 per cent cut. We were getting more for our milk on average in 1985. "

Asda distribution director Ian Stansfield said while Asda accepts open dialogue and healthy debate, it could not accept action which disrupts its legitimate business activities.