²ÝÁñÉçÇø

Letters - Distribution centre protester Mark Watler: "British farmers deserve better"

Mark Watler, a farmworker from Leicestershire, says farmer protests are about fairness as blockades outside distribution centres enter their fourth week

Alex Black
Deputy Editor
clock • 1 min read
Letters - Distribution centre protester Mark Watler: "British farmers deserve better"

²ÝÁñÉçÇø are tonight protesting outside the Asda Food Distribution Centre in Lutterworth, calling out supermarkets for failing to fairly support British agriculture.

Despite producing high-quality food to world-leading standards here in the UK, farmers are being paid unsustainably low prices. Milk farm-gate prices continue to fall, yet supermarket prices on the shelves remain unchanged — leaving farmers squeezed while retailers protect their margins.

READ NOW:ÌýApril energy costs will force growers out of business, says horticulture sector

British farming is essential to food security, rural communities, and the national economy. Supermarkets depend on British farmers, but too often fail to back them with fair and transparent pricing.

This protest is about fairness. ²ÝÁñÉçÇø are not asking for special treatment — they are asking to be paid a fair price for the food they produce, so British farming can survive and thrive.

READ NOW:ÌýFarming faces £800m loss owing to EU reset

Without fair returns, the future of British food production is at risk. Today's action sends a clear message: British farmers deserve better.

More on Politics

Warning tariff suspensions could undermine domestic food production

Warning tariff suspensions could undermine domestic food production

NFU Scotland has highlighted the ‘unintended consequences’ for Scottish food producers and long-term food security

Alex Black
clock 27 June 2026 • 2 min read
'Shockingly bad' and 'vague', opposition MPs deliver their verdict on Labour's  Farming Roadmap

'Shockingly bad' and 'vague', opposition MPs deliver their verdict on Labour's Farming Roadmap

Conservative and LibDem rural representatives criticise document saying it will do nothing to support farmers

Jane Thynne
clock 27 June 2026 • 4 min read
Agriculture split over EU reset summit delay caused by Starmer's resignation

Agriculture split over EU reset summit delay caused by Starmer's resignation

Crop group says pause will enable parties to better prepare while meat industry warns further hold-ups will only fuel farmer frustration

Jane Thynne
clock 25 June 2026 • 2 min read