Farmers For Action call a national strike

Farmers For Action have called for a national strike by UK food producers on Friday 23rd August. The strike will commence at 12 midnight, Thursday 22nd August and run through until midnight of the 23rd August. By calling the strike, the group intends to highlight the disastrous situation that is now surrounding British food production.

The group is calling on all farmers in the UK and Ireland to abide by the strike, and not to sell any product produced on their farm within the 24-hour period. This includes dairy farmers, livestock farmers, egg producers, fruit, vegetable and arable farmers. They are also asking all livestock and Farmers Markets not to operate on this day.

The strike has the support of the president of the British Pig Association, the chairman of the Irish National Sheep Association and the Northern Ireland Branch of the UK Beef Association. The strike is also supported by the Green Party and Grassroots Action for Food and Farming, an organisation which works with farmers to oppose the increasing corporate control of the food system. But James Pavitt of the National Association of Farmers Markets has said that farmers markets will not close as they are some of the few places where producers can get a fair price for their produce.

Farmers For Action argue that ‘no one at present appears to be listening to what is happening to British food production.’ They predict that ‘if we do not bring awareness to the general public, government and all other bodies that represent farming, our industry will be extinct by 2010.’ The group have vowed that ‘if we are not listened to we intend to escalate this action over the coming months.’ Plans are already afoot for action throughout the autumn and winter period.

Contact the Farmers For Action Office: Tel 01291 690224 Fax 01291 690984 Mobile 077111 94947 www.farmersforaction.org Email  secretary@farmersforaction.org