Farmers For Action to step up milk price campaign as protests loom

Farmers For Action (FFA) will be increasing its action over the festive period and targeting retailers in a bid to reach a fair milk price, says chairman David Handley.

"We have done the processors now," he said. "They have got the message loud and clear.

"Now it is time to target retailers and make sure they get the message too."

Protests started in October after Muller Wiseman announced in September that it would be paying farmers 27.1pence per litre (ppl) for milk from November.

The news followed a previous fall of 1.8ppl made the previous months.

And with plans to reveal further action as soon as next week, the organisation is hoping more farmers will get involved.

Mr Handley said: "I cannot say where the protests will be yet as we have not finished discussing as a committee.

"But it is most likely there will be some very local in Shropshire."

He added: "All we want is better milk prices.

"We have been in Cheshire and Bridgwater this week and we have targeted Morrisons who have made claims about not having the ability to influence the price. That is just ridiculous.

"The support was fantastic and it was very successful in that way – but the fight goes on."

Campaigners were furious earlier this month when Muller Wiseman announced its £80 million deal to purchase the operations of processor Dairy Crest, subject to approval from the competition authorities.

FFA said it was shocked to hear the processor had "suddenly found" the money after cutting milk prices because of lack of funds.

But the processing giant said the reduction in prices reflects the decline in revenues from butter and cream, commodities which are traded in global markets.

It has also stated that the purchase of Dairy Crest will help to create the most sustainable, efficient and innovative dairy processor in the UK.

But Mr Handley said he had seen brilliant support over the past week and hoped to see similar turnouts over the festive period.

He said: "We will be stepping up protests in the run up to Christmas and we will be putting pressure on the retailers.

"In a week or so before we will ease off because we do not want to affect the consumer over Christmas – the consumer is our friend and greatest ally."

The FFA chairman also called on younger people in the farming community to get involved.

After a committee meeting last week, the group has decided to involve 18-30 year olds more and has said that any farmer wishing to join the committee should get in touch through a local representative.

Meanwhile, Mr Handley said would be putting the issues to the Environment Food and Rural Affairs Committee on November 25 and hoping to see some results from the meeting.

He said: "The government needs to step in and take action.

"Who are they working for? Us or a German company?"