Morrisons threatens legal action amid milk protests

Despite a legal warning given to protesters in Scotland, farmers plan to carry out more ‘Milk Trolley Challenge’ protests by clearing supermarket shelves of milk then buying it up in bulk.

A letter from Morrisons to farmers in Ayrshire said their protest was causing “significant disruption”​ and the supermarket reserved the right to seek an injunction to prevent demonstrations.

‘Throwaway commodity’​

It said: “If proceedings become necessary we may apply to make you and the other perpetrators personally liable for the financial consequences of these protests and the court proceedings that follow.” ​

Undeterred, Farmers for Action (FFA) has invited farming families to assemble at a livestock market in Somerset and a pub in Cheshire for protests “with a twist”​ last night (Thursday, August 6).

James Hole, the Somerset co-ordinator at FFA, said it was “absolutely disgusting”​ that Morrisons had threatened to take legal action against protesting farmers.

“Why are they allowed to devalue our product, turning it into a throwaway commodity?” ​Hole asked. “How are we going to survive if we continue to have price cuts like we are and not stand up?”​

‘Inconvenience to customers’​

Asked about the letter to farmers, a Morrisons spokeswoman said a customer had been injured after getting caught up in protests inside a store in Ayr.

“Recent protests have caused inconvenience to customers and disruption to our stores,” ​she said. “We understand the reasons behind the protests but we ask that they take place safely. ​

“If the activity continues to endanger customers and colleagues, we will take the necessary steps to ensure their safety.”​

Morrisons has agreed to refuse further cost price decreases from its suppliers which have been hit by falling farm gate milk prices.

But the National Farmers Union (NFU) argued that this pledge did not go far enough in “desperate times”​ for dairy farmers.

FFA chairman David Handley yesterday said Morrisons was no longer prepared to negotiate with the group while 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,” ​he said.

Meanwhile in France, farmers have recently blocked border roads, dumped manure, set fire to tyres and released live pigs in supermarkets in protest against cheap imports.

Handley said: “If farmers will not stand together, what we are going to see happen is smaller groups breaking away, not through greed but through desperation and therefore French tactics are going to take place, whether we like it or we don't. ​

“So here is my plea: British farmers stand up and unite, this is not a war, all we are asking for is fair play, fair price, fair trade and a living wage.”​