Cheesed off

Asda, based in Leeds, as well as Dairy Crest, Lactalis McLelland, Safeway, Sainsbury's, The Cheese Company and Wiseman may have seen the scope of the charges they faced reduced, and their fines cut, but they still face sanctions totalling about 70m. Tesco, too, has accepted a fine, even though some of the allegations against it have been dropped and it contests the others.

Consumers were conned but at least they have the chance to shop around. Farmers, however, rarely have that luxury and the actions of the supermarkets meant they didn't get a fair deal for dairy products. This was inexcusable behaviour, given that farmers have had to spend a decade battling cheap foreign competition and a lack of Government support.

Britons do their shopping on the basis that products have been sourced responsibly. When that's not the case, it leaves a decidedly bad taste.