Farmers attack Coles bags

Supermarket giant Coles has ignited its simmering row with farmers by joining forces with Animals Australia in a shopping bag promotion.

WA farmers condemned the move and some took to social media threatening to boycott Coles stores or to cut off its supplies of fresh food.

Many farmers blame Animals Australia for crippling the live export industry through its investigations into the mistreatment of Australian livestock in overseas markets.

WAFarmers president Dale Park said Coles had again shown contempt for farmers already hurting financially because of its policy of forcing down prices for milk and other agricultural products.

Mr Park said it was mind-boggling that Coles would promote an organisation which promoted veganism and ultimately wanted to see all farming of animals for food phased out.

Coles said the promotion, which started yesterday and involves the sale of shopping bags carrying the message Make it Possible and a picture of a flying pig, reinforced its commitment to animal welfare standards.

Animals Australia has produced about 15,000 bags which Coles will sell for $1 to raise funds for the group.