DAIRY farmers will continue their fight for fair milk prices with a protest and blockade outside the gates of Iceland’s distribution centre in Penzance Drive, Swindon, tonight.
Farmers for Action, the alliance set up by farmers disillusioned with the treatment of their industry, has revealed plans to protest from 8.30pm this evening.
The protests are designed to draw attention to the losses incurred by farmers who are selling their milk cheaper than it costs to produce.
James Hole, South West co-ordinator, said: “This is against the continual devaluing of our production of milk and selling it as a loss leader in their stores.
“They are using our product to get customers through their door to buy the other stuff.
“The dairy industry has been in a huge crisis over the last six months with 25 per cent cuts in pence per litre paid at the farm gate due to so-called global markets.
“Eighty-five per cent of milk in this country is retained, so why are we being penalised on 100 per cent of milk when only 15 per cent is leaving these shores?”
Mr Hole expects 150 to 200 protestors at the site tonight, with a strong support from young farmers in the Marlborough area.
The blockade will run for a minimum of four hours.
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