by Our News Desk

SUPERMARKET giant Morrisons has agreed to meet farmers protesting over the price they are paid for milk tomorrow.

Farmers for Action, chaired by Welsh farmer David Handley, have repeatedly blockaded Morrisons’s depot in Bridgwater, Somerset, in a row over the price paid for milk to make cheese.

The group said its protest last Thursday closed the distribution centre adjacent to the M5 for 11 hours.

The supermarket announced earlier this month it would create a new “Milk for Farmers” cheddar which would “deliver the equivalent of 10p-a-litre back to farmers,” amid a row over the price of milk.

Farmers for Action said Morrisons had contacted Mr Handley after the protests and agreed to meet him and representatives of bosses’ group the National Farmers Union.

“Morrisons have been left under no illusion that it is not a meeting just to talk, we have to come out with money for hard-pressed dairy farmers,” said the group in a statement.

“We strongly hope that progress will be made.”

Farmers for Action said that talks were also planned with Tesco to discuss the price paid for milk used in cheese and with the Co-op and Asda over lamb.

A Morrisons spokeswoman said: “We know that this is a difficult time for British dairy farming but we are disappointed by the actions of a minority of dairy farmers who are attempting to disrupt the supply of food to our customers.”