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Morrisons warns farmers about "unsafe" milk protests

Bradford-headquartered Morrisons has warned dairy farmers of unsafe protests about low supermarket milk prices.

Members of the Farmers For Action group have staged trolley dashes and cleared shelves of milk in previous protests and are now targeting the Bradford-based retailer’s stores with the ‘Milk Trolley Challenge’.

The group has also protested at distribution depots in the North West and South West As action continued, Morrisons promised to get tough if action threatened the safety of customers.

The company has issued letters to demonstrating farmers which, while not specifying legal action, threatens “necessary action” if protests get out of hand.

A Morrisons spokesman said: “Recent protests have caused inconvenience to customers and disruption to our stores. One customer has already been injured after being caught up in protestor activity.

“We understand the reasons behind the protests but we ask they take place safely. If the activity continues to endanger customers and colleagues, we will take the necessary steps to ensure their safety.”

Farmers For Action chairman David Handley said: “Following a meeting with Morrisons on the milk crisis last week, we have had a reply back saying Morrisons are not prepared to negotiate anything whilst being targeted by farmers.

“I think a line has been drawn in the sand and am sure I speak on behalf of the majority of farmers when I say we are not going to be bullied by British retailers.

“All we want is a fair price, a living wage and to be able to make a profit from our business - no different than any other corporate business, whether it be British retailing or British food service industry.

“For Morrisons to start saying that they are not going to be threatened into price increasing tells me they are not listening to the message.

“I believe we have now reached a point where the British farming industry has to stand up and be counted.”

Meanwhile, family-run Booths, which has an Ilkley branch, says its customers are committed to paying a fair price to farmers.

Through its Fair Milk scheme, Booths pledges to always pay the highest market price to farmers.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Robert Beaumont .