Lib Dem MPs lobby Ministers on farm prices

Local MP Tim Farron has joined with a group of fellow Liberal Democrat MPs to lobby the Secretary of State for DEFRA Hillary Benn on the cripplingly low prices offered to farmers by supermarkets following the outbreak of foot and mouth. Mr Farron, who last week called on the Prime Minister to force supermarkets to 'play fair', joined with six other MPs, including the Lib Dem spokesman on the Environment Chris Huhne to persuade supermarket bosses to heed the call.

In his letter to Mr Benn, Tim said:

"Sheep farmers in our constituencies have been seriously affected by the market conditions prevailing since the outbreak of foot and mouth…it seems to us that the Government has a very clear moral obligation to compensate for the damage caused."

Speaking today, Mr Farron added:

"It is clear from the level of support from my parliamentary colleagues that this is a big issue in many rural constituencies. I hope that the Secretary of State will sit up and take notice, and provide the price support that our farmers so desperately need."