Farmers have accused multiple buyers of acting like "jumped up little Hitlers" and making unrealistic demands in the scramble to source alternative meat supplies. And as The Grocer went to Press on Thursday industry officials were talking to multiple head offices in an attempt to diffuse a potential row between farmer-producers and "over zealous" supermarket purchasing teams. A large Midlands farmer-producer told The Grocer: "It's another example of the multiple CEOs showing great sympathy for the farmers' plight, yet purchasing executives further down the supermarket teams seem to be making their own rules. The buyers have got to be realistic instead of acting like jumped up little Hitlers." And another senior farming source said:"Some of the more junior buyers seem to think, for example, we can magic up one million extra chickens in a moment. The poultry industry is not like that." The Grocer understands that NFU officials were making discreet approaches to the chains in a bid to prevent a major row. An NFU spokesman said: "We understand the multiples' need to offer full availability to consumers, but they must understand that UK farmers are doing the best they can in very difficult circumstances." Ironically, the news came hours after the agri-food chain's most influential body, the policy issues council of IGD, declared that the grocery supply chain "fully backs the government action to date and is very supportive of farmers at both a human and business level." The statement said the foot and mouth disease crisis was not a food safety issue, but an animal welfare issue. The crisis dominated the agenda at a meeting of the group in London on Tuesday. NFU president Ben Gill gave members ­ Britain's major retailers and food and drink manufacturers ­ a detailed update on efforts to combat the disease. In a statement afterwards, IGD chief executive Joanne Denney said: "The supply chain is working together, including the NFU, to get the UK back up and running as soon as possible." However, on Thursday there was optimism that a partial lifting of the ban on livestock movements would see at least some animals being transported to specially designated abattoirs by early next week. Junior agriculture minister Baroness Hayman said: "The new licensing rules will not mean a resumption of normal market conditions, as the country is still under infection control. "But licensed food will be going through the chain by the middle of next week." MLC chairman, Don Curry, told The Grocer on Thursday evening: "As home produced product is getting in short supply we are hopeful that it will allow the industry to maintain at least a partial supply of British meat to retailers and caterers." {{NEWS }}