'Desperate' farmers warn local food could disappear from shelves

Farming leaders are warning food produced here in the West could disappear from supermarket shelves.

Following an emergency summit today they're calling for an emergency meeting with government ministers in response to the crisis.

Last week dairy farmers blockaded a distribution centre in Somerset to protest about falling milk prices, which they say are putting them out of business.

Meurig Raymond, president of the National Farmers Union (NFU) of England and Wales said many farmers faced "big decisions" about whether to leave the industry in the next few weeks, as they struggle to pay bills and face rising debts.

Both the government and the British Retail Consortium have issued statements in response to the crisis.