Farmers have stationed their tractors in a supermarket car park to protest against cheap imports and “win over” the British public.
Around 20 tractors are parked at Tesco Extra in Whitfield, near Dover, to raise awareness of the threat to food security in the UK, because of the “unfair” treatment of British farmers.
This will be the second time tractors have descended on the town in little over a week.
Protests at the port last Friday caused distribution between 5pm to 8pm.
Gatherings of demonstrators across the town saw police officers placed on standby at the docks.
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Jeffery Gibson, a livestock and potato farmer in east Kent, says the government’s policy will see crops being grown abroad.
He said: “They’re pushing us towards greening the country and reducing our CO2 emissions which is brilliant in theory apart from every single one of those crops that is not being grown in this country is going to be grown aboard.”
The demonstration, understood to have been arranged by word of mouth, comes as Europe’s farmers ramped up protests against EU measures and rising prices, with blocked roads reported in Belgium, Spain, Poland and Hungary.
Farmers on the Continent say they have also faced heavy regulation, powerful and domineering retailers, debt, climate change and cheap foreign imports.
Many argue the EU agricultural system is based on the premise mass production is cheaper and better.
While most protests have been in France, similar action has been taking place in a host of countries including Italy, Spain, Romania, Poland, Greece, Germany, Portugal and the Netherlands.
On Wednesday, protestor Sadie Howland confirmed farmers would be taking action again.
The owner of SP Howland, who farms off Iffin Lane near Canterbury, says she is disgusted by the treatment her family has received from the government.
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Having been part of a legacy of farmers dating back 100 years she believes the public needs to be educated about what’s going on.
“There is going to be further action but at the moment, we’re unable to comment on where and when,” she told KentOnline.
“Once it’s all in place we will start to let everyone know.
“We had quite a few opinions at our meeting last night – there was about 50 to 60 farmers there. It was a really good meeting.
“We’ll keep going until someone listens.”
William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
