Farmers win Tesco meeting as dozens blockade its distribution centre

Dozens of farmers say they have forced Tesco into a meeting after blockading one of the supermarket giant's biggest distribution centres at Avonmouth.

The protest lasted around three hours and saw tractors parked outside the depot, alongside a Farmfoods depot, stopping lorries from entering.

As a result campaigning group Farmers For Action said the protest has resulted in Tesco agreeing to meet them on Wednesday for negotiations.

The protest was the first to focus on cheese - rather than milk prices - and highlighted the amount imported by the supermarkets.

The protests in Avonmouth came after Farmers For Action examined labelling on packets of dairy products in Tesco stores.

David Handley, chairman of the FFA, said the store's value range grated cheddar cheese had three countries of origin, while its "everyday" range yoghurt used German milk.

Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss will meet representatives from the National Farmers Union (NFU) today to discuss dairy farming.