FARM MILK PROTEST

They were supported by Lewes MP, Norman Baker.

The protest was also to mark a hearing inside the court where farmer Peter Parkes faces charges from an earlier demonstration outside the Arla processing plant at Sheffield Park.

Figures obtained by Mr Baker from the government showed that dairy farmers receive 25 per cent less for their milk than they did 10 years ago, while checkout prices have remained at a virtual standstill.

In 1995 farmers received almost 40% of the retail price of milk but now get less than 30%, confirming that downward pressure on prices hits farmers' livelihoods more than supermarkets' profit margins.