FARMERS are set to stage pickets at milk processing plants in North Yorkshire, according to a pressure group.

A nationwide day of action is expected to take place tomorrow (THU), staged by militant farmers in protest against milk processing firms.

Farmers currently get about 9p of every 36p pint of milk sold, with the remaining 27p going as profit to the processor and retailer. The farming community wants its share to be increased dramatically.

The pressure group has no name, but includes some of the farmers who staged the fuel protests of 2000. It claims to have targeted 150 milk processing plants across the country, but has not named them.

South Devon farmer Richard Haddock, a leading member of the National Farmers' Union (NFU) and spokesman for the pressure group, said: "There will be activity in the North Yorkshire area, but I don't have a list of the sites or the names of the people who will be taking action.

"It will not be a blockade, but a picket line. We will ask lorry drivers arriving at the processing plants not to cross that picket line."

The farmers hope the move will strangle milk supplies to the country's supermarkets for one day.

"One firm has just offered an increase of 0.7p, which is derisory," said Mr Haddock.

"That's what we are up against."

The NFU staged its own milk protest in Northallerton last Friday, bringing the centre of the town to a standstill.

Reacting to news of the pressure group's plans, an NFU spokesman said: "We are not aware of any activities being planned for the North Yorkshire area on Thursday.

"I should say that the supermarkets have made good noises about giving back an extra 1p to the farmers, but that extra doesn't seem to have been passed to the processing firms. Still the situation for farmers remains poor."

An Asda spokesman said supermarkets were trying to make things fairer.

"We have increased milk prices by an average of 2p per litre as a measure ofsupport for struggling dairy farmers.

"Although this alone may not bring the long-term solution the industry so desperately needs, we want to play our part in making a difference.

"All Asda's fresh milk is British so we fully recognise the importance of a healthy British dairy industry."

He said an Asda pint would now cost 29p, instead of 28p, while six pints will cost £1.44, rather than £1.37.

- If you are planning to take part in Thursday's demonstrations, the Evening Press would like to hear from you. Ring Nick Hallissey on 01904 653051, extension 315, or email nick.hallissey@ycp.co.uk

Updated: 09:13 Wednesday, September 18, 2002