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NEWS January 15 2002
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| Campaigns – Farmers for Action The grassroots farmers’ network Farmers For Action (FFA), which first came to most people’s attention during the fuel protests of September 2000, appears now to be moving towards a more radical and less oil-dependent position by shifting its attention to the exploitation of farmers by supermarkets. FFA has announced it is launching a campaign against Tesco and will carry out mass blockades of Tesco distribution depots if the supermarket refuses to meet them to discuss its pricing policies. From the FFA website ‘Aims and Objectives’ www.farmersforaction.org: Farmers For Action were formed in May 2000 by a group of farmers who were unhappy with the way in which their traditional organisations were representing British farmers. We welcome non-farming members and also those from overseas. We have no allegiance to any political party. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: TO SECURE A SUSTAINABLE LEVEL OF INCOME FOR FARMERS AND GROWERS To secure this level of income in the longer term it will be necessary to: Bring about a more consistent attitude from PLC companies promoting quality assurance i.e. (quality assurance should apply to all foods irrespective or where it is produced. Thus bringing to an end cheap food, which does not meet UK quality assurance standards. Raise environmental issues, such as the costs to the environment of the unnecessary transportation of food over long distances. Act as a pressure group to influence NFU reforms, to make the Trade Association a more effective/reactive body representing the need of grassroot working farmers. To lobby government and the European parliament on issues relating to a sustainable agricultural industry, so in essence an industry unfettered by subsidy, but an industry which gets paid a living wage for producing quality food for British people. |