Farmers plan blockades against supermarkets depots

Farmers are planning a nationwide night of action against supermarket distribution centres in protest against low prices and to demand more support for British farming.

Distribution centres at a number of UK retailers could be targeted in a planned night of action from 7pm on Friday 13 October.

The Proud to Farm group is co-ordinating the protests and it has released a list on its TikTok site of several distribution centres which will be targeted. In total, more than 30 sites across the UK will be targeted.

See also: Former farmer launches ‘Proud to Farm’ mental health campaign

The group says it wants “fair pay and support for farmers, and supply of quality British produce for the British public”.

A spokesperson, who did not want to be named, said: “It’s time to make a stand, change your future. I need tractors, lorries, cars in every county of the UK.

“We need the whole of the UK to unite. Farmers and public as one. British fightback has begun.”

There is growing anger within the UK agricultural industry, which has seen British farmers struggling to survive due to a “perfect storm” of rising farm input and energy costs, reducing levels of farm support and stagnant prices.  

Many farmers are receiving negligible profits for their produce as food prices rise and supermarkets boast record profits.

However, there is a feeling within the industry that retailers are failing to pass on a fair share of the returns to farmers.