UK farmers have warned of more blockades similar to the French-style protests carried out at Dover recently. The slow tractor demonstration was a response to low supermarket prices and cheap food imports resulting from post-Brexit trade deals. Approximately 40 tractors and other farm vehicles blocked roads around the Kent port for several hours, displaying signs reading “No More Cheap Imports”.
These Kent farmers plan to convene again this week to discuss further actions, potentially joining other campaigns driven by farmers’ growing discontent. Previous protests include a blockade attempt at a Morrisons distribution centre in Somerset and a gathering of 3,000 farmers in Carmarthen, Wales. Other campaigns, like Get Fair About Farming, echo similar sentiments.
One of the Dover protest organisers said: “We’ve had support from all round the country. There will be other groups like us and they will make their presence felt – around the docks, around supermarket distribution centres.”
These UK farmers were inspired by their French counterparts who blocked Parisian motorways until the government promised additional funds, relaxed regulations, and protection against unfair competition. Gibson also cited tariff-free wheat from Ukraine and cheap New Zealand lamb as reasons for the protests.
Food campaigners, Sustain, warned in 2022 that UK farmers made less than 1p profit from food they produce. The situation has worsened with the enforcement of trade deals with Australia and New Zealand. Gibson expressed his frustration, saying, “We’re getting a lot of produce from around the world that would be illegal to grow in this country. We produce the best stuff to the highest standard. We just want a level playing field.”
Source: theguardian.com