Farmers for Action co-ordinator William Taylor has told Farming Life that Tesco is about to slash the price of all the staple food items on its shelves in what is rumoured to be an attempt to secure greater market share between now and Christmas.
"We have already seen milk the focus of a price war over recent weeks," he added.
"However, it now looks as if Tesco has decided that all the basic food commodities produced in Northern Ireland are fair game in a campaign that will do severe damage
to the economic prospects of the local farming industry.
"I have it on a reliable basis that Tesco has decided to go down this road. Certain suppliers have been requested to start tendering for contracts on a weekly basis over the internet.
"In reality this is just the thin end of the wedge and, of course, where Tesco leads the other supermarkets will follow.
"We have to nip all of this in the bud now and the starting point will be a Fairness for Farmers in Europe protest, which will take place outside Tesco headquarters in Hertfordshire next Tuesday."
William Taylor went on to point out that the demonstration will provide producers from all parts of the UK with an opportunity to express their opposition to any moves by the supermarkets which will lead to a fall in farmgate prices.
"We are saying no to the principle of farmers subsidising cut price food in the shops," he stressed.
"We are also saying no to the practice of farmers signing intrusive contracts, which give supermarkets direct access to producer accounts.
"And the same principle holds for contracts that deliver prices below the cost of production. Farmers cannot be used as a convenient tool to keep down the rate of inflation.
"Direct supply contracts between producers and the supermarkets have not featured in Northern Ireland yet. However, all the evidence from GB now points to the fact that they don't work and the group travelling across for next week's protest will be making this point in the strongest possible terms."
William Taylor concluded: "I am encouraging as many local farmers as possible to take part in next week's demonstration. It is crucially important that Tesco is told now that the farming industry in Northern Ireland will not tolerate any cuts in producer returns at a time when input costs are strengthening dramatically."
Farmers wishing to take part in next Tuesday's protest can ring (028) 70353579 for further information
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