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Farmers park tractors at Tesco Extra, Whitfield, Dover in row over cheap imports

09:44, 17 February 2024

updated: 15:02, 17 February 2024

Farmers stationed their tractors in a supermarket car park to protest against cheap imports and “win over” the British public.

Around 20 tractors were 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 is 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.

Jeffery Gibson, a livestock and potato farmer in east Kent, says the government's policy will see crops being grown abroad.

Farmers protesting government policy passing St Paul's Roman Catholic Church, Dover
Farmers protesting government policy passing St Paul's Roman Catholic Church, Dover
Farmers made their way down Maison Dieu Road during protests through Dover
Farmers made their way down Maison Dieu Road during protests through Dover

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.”

After leaving the supermarket, the tractors then made their way through Dover town centre first passing down Maison Dieu Road at the Junction with Pencester Road just before 12.25pm.

Dozens came in a steady flow traveling with the usual speed limit rather than at a walking pace like they did in Dover eight days ago.

Cars were able to pass freely in the second lane of the one-way street.

The farmers had on social media asked locals to stand on the pavement and wave flags to show their support.

But rain had come earlier than forecast so left the streets almost empty however many drivers sounded their horns in support.

Steve Skinner who has a farm at Coldred in the Dover district told KentOnline: “This is about food being sold under the cost to produce it.

"That's illegal in Europe but allowed here.

"It's not sustainable."

He explained the demonstration went from Whitfield down the A256 Maison Dieu Road and Castle Street.

Tractors were then seen going west along the A20 Townwall Street.

Steve Skinner, who has a farm at Coldred, joined the protests through Dover
Steve Skinner, who has a farm at Coldred, joined the protests through Dover
The demonstration went from Whitfield down the A256 Maison Dieu Road.
The demonstration went from Whitfield down the A256 Maison Dieu Road.

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.

The protests began last week in a row over government policy
The protests began last week in a row over government policy
Tractors descended on Dover on Friday
Tractors descended on Dover on Friday

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.

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.

Kent farmers fear government policy will see crops grown abroad
Kent farmers fear government policy will see crops grown abroad

“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.”

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