FARMERS in the region have warned supermarkets they will step up the protests if talks to increase the price they receive for their milk do not bring about change.

Government ministers met industry leaders today (Monday, August 17) to discuss the future of British dairy farming following weeks of protest.

Dozens of demonstrations have taken place across the country, including milk trolley challenges and bringing cattle into supermarkets.

Some 15 farmers descended on Asda's store in Portrack Lane, Stockton, to demonstrate about falling milk prices earlier this month.

Among those taking part in the stunt was Yarm dairy farmer Richard Craggs.

He said: “Things are going in the right direction with the talks.

“Hopefully this isn’t just an olive branch to stop us from protesting. For the time being we will not protest at supermarkets who have come to the table but if they don’t deliver what they are promising then we will go back to the protests.

“We have nothing left to lose. If we have to start the protests again we will be a little bit more severe. We will wait and see – watch this space.”

On Sunday, tractors and protesters blockaded one of Tesco's biggest distribution centre in the UK, as well as a Farmfoods depot near Avonmouth, Bristol.

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

Campaigning group Farmers For Action said the protest had resulted in Tesco agreeing to meet them for negotiations later this week.

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

"This is a serious situation for British dairy farmers and I am deeply concerned about the pressures that they are under," she said.

"The dairy industry is worth £4.6 billion to the UK economy and is vital to our countryside.

"Global volatility and a current surplus of milk on the world market have driven down prices. This is affecting farmers across British agriculture."

The protests in Avonmouth came after Farmers For Action (FFA) 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.

"This is Tesco, every little helps unless you are a British dairy farmer," he said.

Following the protests, Morrisons launched a brand of dairy products to support dairy farmers, while Aldi and Asda pledged to pay a minimum price of 28p per litre.

Tesco and Sainsbury's have so far ruled out a similar move to Morrisons, saying that they pay a fair price based on the cost of production.

Farmers estimate that it costs between 30 and 32p to produce a litre of milk but the average price paid across the UK is 23.66p - following a drop of 25 per cent in a year.