Farming in "state of emergency" as milk price battles hit Asda

FARMERS unions are continuing protests against unfair milk prices, going as far as herding cattle through a branch of supermarket chain Asda.

The Stafford branch saw 70 protesters leading two cows through the supermarket.

Protesters across the UK have been clearing shelves of milk in a “Milk Trolley Challenge” action, cartons of which are then given to charity or sold for nominal fee.

The National Farmers Union said that the industry was in a “state of emergency” after a meeting yesterday involving four other action groups, including Farmers For Action.

Falling lamb and milk prices have hit the sector hard, with farmers saying they need aroun d 30p a litre for milk to cover costs, but some supermarkets, such as Asda, have been selling milk for as little as 23p a litre.

Ina joint statement the group said: “Stop devaluing fresh British food like milk purely to get customers through the door.

“Start demonstrating right now how you are ensuring that ALL the food you are selling comes from a farm which has been paid a fair price.”

“We would urge farm ministers across the UK to meet urgently.

“They need to admit that something has gone fundamentally wrong in the supply chain and take remedial action.

“In general, voluntary codes are not delivering their intended purpose.

“Government needs to take action to ensure that contracts to all farmers are longer-term and fairer in apportioning risk and reward.

“At the moment in many contracts all the risk is put on the farmer with very little of the reward. “