FARMERS For Action is planning a second mass protest in London on the day before the EU referendum.

Farmers from across the South West were among around 2,500 people who descended on the capital on Wednesday, March 23 to call on the government to do more for dairy and livestock farmers.

The march saw more than 2,500 people join in the protest, and even some cows and sheep.

The protest saw the chairman of Farmers For Action, David Handley, presenting a letter addressed to Prime Minister David Cameron outlining the key issues affecting the industry.

In the letter Mr Handley asks whether it is the government's policy for British farmers to act totally within the framework of the free market, which he states is 'not a level playing field'.

"You may be perplexed as to why Farmers For Action have brought farmers and supporters to London today in the form of a march," Mr Handley writes.

"We know that you are fully aware of the serious situation being experienced by virtually all sectors of the farming industry.

"Dairy and pigs are probably experiencing the worst prices paid in decades. Many are exiting the industry and in the coming months those numbers, if current prices continue." he said.

The Farmers For Action group want answers on how the government intends to get farming back into profitability, and whether the government intends to give more powers to the GCA to investigate the supply chain, which is described as 'totally dysfunctional at the moment'.

The group also want to know what the government are intending to do regarding imports, which Mr Handley states 'are coming into the country on a regular basis below the standards that British farmers are required to produce to'.

"For some, any price increases, if they should happen, will come too late. We need to find a mechanism that will allow these people to at least exit our industry with some dignity," Mr Handley said.

"Currently all we are getting from the Secretary of State are soundbites and promises of what might happen over the next 25 years.

"Most farmers in this country want leadership and a strategy that will get them through the next 12 months."