AN increase in the cost of red diesel proposed by the EU has provoked a furious reaction from farmers in the Malvern Hills area.

The price of the fuel, used primarily to run farm machinery such as tractors, could rise by around 2.5p per litre as a result of an EU directive passed last week to cut sulphur content.

Local farmers have warned it could be a final nail in the coffin of an industry still reeling from foot and mouth and BSE.

"It's a good idea and I'm very much in favour of cleaning up the environment but the industry cannot afford it," said Michael Evans, of Ryall Grove in Upton. "In other industries we could pass the cost on to our customers but we have to compete in a global market."

Kevin Hammett, of Malt House Farm in Upton, agreed.

"It's absolutely appalling and the Government and the NFU should be doing an awful lot more," he said.

"What will happen ultimately is there will be a shortage of food in the next couple of years."

Andrew Medcalfe, of New House Farm, Guarlford, said: "It will substantially increase my running costs, and I hope it can be delayed or stopped.

"It won't hit me as bad as it will arable farmers. It will be crippling to them."

Fred Simcock, of Woofields Farm, Coddington, agreed. He said it was something farmers could do without.

"There's more and more farm traffic on the roads because smaller operators are going out of business, and this is not going to help," he said.

"There's no justification for it as far as I can see.

"How are we supposed to keep our costs down when things like this happen which we have no control over?"