Thousands of farmers have protested in the central Swiss town of Sempach against liberalisation in agriculture and in particular against the reduction of milk prices.

Organisers said about 10,000 farmers demonstrated with alphorns, banners, cow bells and flags.

They met to protest atgainst negotiations between Switzerland and the European Union on an agricultural free trade accord and to voice their demand for a "fair milk price".

Milk producers said that they had suffered since May when milk quotas in the country were abolished. This had led to over production and lower prices, they argued.

The Swiss Farmers Association said in a statement that the "dramatic" income losses over the last few months and the insecure political outlook were untenable.

It added that the number of farms in Switzerland would continue to dwindle and the costs of a free trade agreement with Brussels would outweigh any advantages.

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