UK supermarket shoppers warned over shortages on three most popular aisles

UK supermarket shoppers face shortages on THREE popular aisles this winter, it is feared. New protests in France in the European Union are being held by unions, who oppose provisions such as duty-free imports of beef, poultry and sugar.

They say these create unfair competition. Coordination Rurale, a union linked to the far right, has promised an “agricultural revolt,” including food freight blockades beginning Tuesday in Auch and Agen in southwestern France.

There are fears, if the disruption continues, UK supply could be hit - sparking chaos in the meat, dairy and kitchen cupboard aisle. French Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard has publicly opposed the EU-Mercosur trade agreement, citing risks of deforestation and health concerns linked to hormone-treated meat.

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President Emmanuel Macron has also criticized the agreement unless South American producers meet EU standards. “The government slept on its agriculture, so we won’t let them sleep," said Régis Desrumaux, 54, head of the FDSEA Oise farmer's union. " Last year, we protested for the same reasons: too much paperwork, overly strict norms, not enough help from the state. Now, with unfair competition from South American products boosted with hormones and GMOs, it’s the final straw."

“My partner and I want to do this for the rest of our lives, but we don’t earn much from our farm right now,” said a younger farmer. “I feel that the horizon is bleak and that our work is disrespected.” It comes as, domestically, UK farmers visited London on Tuesday to demand the scrapping of Labour’s budget changes to inheritance tax on agricultural businesses.

Many farmers came with donations for the City Harvest food bank. Farmer Andrew Ward, one of the organisers of the rally, said it amounted to “tonnes and tonnes of food”. Many protesters clutched signs criticising “Farmer harmer Starmer” as they waited to hear from politicians and Clarkson.