'We'll join picket line' (From Gazette & Herald)

'We'll join picket line'

RYEDALE dairy farmers have received a call to action from the leader of a militant farmers' group.

David Handley, who runs Farmers For Action, asked for help in an attempt to cut off the country's daily milk supply when he met with members of Hovingham Dairy Group on Monday.

The 25 local farmers gave their support unanimously, and the majority said they would be prepared to join picket lines stopping milk tankers entering processing plants.

Farmers For Action (FFA) wants an extra 2p a litre for milk now and another 2p in January. So far, the dairies have given them less than 1p. The large supermarket chains have agreed to pay an extra 2p a litre to help the farmers, but the dairies have said their customers will not all be willing to give that much.

About 50 FFA members have already picketed the Express Dairies plant in Northallerton to put pressure on the major milk processors.

"At the moment, the retail sector is offering us money, but the problem is that there are people in the middle (milk processors) that think the cash should stick to the sides before it comes back to us," said Mr Handley, a dairy farmer from Monmouthshire, South Wales.

"Our message to the milk processors is simple. If you don't want us to make a profit and make a living, then you're not going to. Fairly and simply, what we want is a cost of production figure that we can live with."

Paul Dunn, of Helmsley, said: "David Handley talks a lot of sense. I'd be prepared to picket."

John Goodwill, of Coulton Grange, Hovingham, said: "I think it's essential that we do something. The last eight years have been desperate in dairy farming. We've got to work together to make farming better so we have an industry to pass on to the younger generations."

Chris Hodgson, of Crayke, said he thought Mr Handley's talk was fantastic and he would certainly be prepared to join a picket line.

Rob Hicks, NFU Malton group secretary, said: "The NFU are right behind FFA. We're both on the same side and any member that thinks we're on different sides is mistaken."

A spokesman for Express Dairies said despite FFA drumming up support for picketing action with the Ryedale dairy farmers, talks would still continue.

"Regular contact takes place between Express Dairies and Farmers For Action. There is no impediment to future meetings taking place between the company and Mr Handley," he said.

Updated: 12:01 Wednesday, October 15, 2003