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| Somerset farmers blockade supermarket depot over milk prices | Somerset farmers blockade supermarket depot over milk prices |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| About 100 farmers and 20 tractors blockaded the Morrisons supermarket depot by the M5 in Somerset as part of a protest over the price of milk. | |
| Farmers for Action said although they received a higher price per litre last year they were now making a loss due to rises in the costs of production. | Farmers for Action said although they received a higher price per litre last year they were now making a loss due to rises in the costs of production. |
| Dairy UK, which represents milk processors, said it was "dismayed" and blockading caused a "needless cost". | Dairy UK, which represents milk processors, said it was "dismayed" and blockading caused a "needless cost". |
| Protestors arrived at 20:15 BST and said they would remain until midnight. | Protestors arrived at 20:15 BST and said they would remain until midnight. |
| 'Deep regret' | 'Deep regret' |
| Chairman of Farmers for Action David Handley said he had handed a letter in to Morrisons. | Chairman of Farmers for Action David Handley said he had handed a letter in to Morrisons. |
| He said: "The letter states that it is with deep regret we find ourselves here tonight. | He said: "The letter states that it is with deep regret we find ourselves here tonight. |
| "But we've been told by the processors that the company is refusing to pay better prices and we want to give the company the chance to respond." | "But we've been told by the processors that the company is refusing to pay better prices and we want to give the company the chance to respond." |
| He said another protest was planned for next week if Morrisons did not respond. | He said another protest was planned for next week if Morrisons did not respond. |
| A Dairy UK spokesman said blockading caused disruption and was "not a sustainable way to take the industry forward". | A Dairy UK spokesman said blockading caused disruption and was "not a sustainable way to take the industry forward". |
| "That can only be achieved by progress in efficiency, consolidation, innovation and collaboration." | "That can only be achieved by progress in efficiency, consolidation, innovation and collaboration." |
| Farmers were now working "much closer than ever with their processors", he said. | Farmers were now working "much closer than ever with their processors", he said. |
| "This has resulted in milk price movements and significant innovation in contracts." | "This has resulted in milk price movements and significant innovation in contracts." |
| James Badman, who farms at Panborough near Wells, said: "[Price] increases were put in place which were only barely in line with the costs of production. | James Badman, who farms at Panborough near Wells, said: "[Price] increases were put in place which were only barely in line with the costs of production. |
| "Now we're seeing further costs when the market can't be prepared to pass back more." | "Now we're seeing further costs when the market can't be prepared to pass back more." |
| Dairy farmer James Hole, from Heaphouse near Wedmore, said: "We're not asking for a handout, we're not asking for extra payments. | Dairy farmer James Hole, from Heaphouse near Wedmore, said: "We're not asking for a handout, we're not asking for extra payments. |
| "We're asking for a fair price for a fair product." | "We're asking for a fair price for a fair product." |