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Asda RDCs hit by blockades
Page 12
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Truckers backed farmers in the latest dairy blockades. Jennifer Ball reports FARMERS FOR ACTION (FFA) has praised operators for adding their support to its blockades of dairies following its rejection of a lp/lit increase in milk prices (CM 16 October).
The protest group blocked five of Asda's chilled regional distribution centres last week and the supermarket has now agreed to meet with them and Dairy Crest to discuss rates.
David Handley. FFA chairman, says: -We were delighted with the response from drivers telling us to keep up the good work. We let independent hauliers through because they are suffering just like us. It's about time the big companies realised that we cannot work for nothing."
Asda says it recognises the difficulties currently being faced by the British dairy industry, which is why it led the retail sector in increasing retail prices by 2p/lit in July. This increase was passed on to its processors. A spokeswoman for the supermarket says: "We are a little confused as to why we have been targeted. Once again this year we have maintained an open and direct dialogue with farming organisations, who to date have been very supportive of our proactive stance. We are still in talks with farmers and their representatives and we're hopeful that the difficulties they face can be resolved without further blockades."
FFA is demanding an immediate 2p/lit rise in the farm-gate milk price with a further 2p/lit in January. The price is currently 15.5p/lit, which farmers say is less than it costs them to produce the milk.