Farmers For Action targets Asda

Farmers for Action is planning a wave of protests against Asda depots across the country on Wednesday and Thursday (15-16 December) after the supermarket slashed the price of a four-pint bottle of milk.

A four-pint bottle now costs just £1.25, undercutting the other main retailers by 30p, a fact Asda has been keen to promote, said FFA chairman David Handley.

“At a time when we persuaded Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons to move their prices back up, Asda did an about-turn and launched this campaign. Not only did they cut the price, but they are now ramming home the message to consumers.

“They appear to be waving two fingers at us, so there is only one thing to do. Unless we succeed in getting values back up, there is no chance of producers getting any more money.”

Mr Handley warned of widespread action as Farmers Weekly went to press. “We will be going to a number of depots around the country on Wednesday and Thursday night.”

More action would follow next week even if Asda relented, he said. “There are a number of discounters including Lidl and Aldi that need to be looked at, and Morrisons apparently hasn’t raised its ex-arm price for three years.”