Brussels: The European Milk Board (EMB) will now be headed by its new Chair, Danish milk producer Kjartan Poulsen. At the EMB’s recent General Assembly, German BDM representative Elmar Hannen was also elected Deputy Chair. The previous Executive Committee members Boris Gondouin from APLI (France), Belgian MIG representative Guy Francq, his Irish colleague Pat McCormack from the ICMSA and Roberto Cavaliere from the APL (Italy) were re-elected to the Executive Committee.

The agricultural census conducted by the French Ministry of Agriculture every ten years gives us an overview of the French farming landscape and the trends inherent to ten-yearly developments across the country. Its latest publication on 10 December 2021 shows a 21% fall in the number of farms across all types of production.

East Belgium: In recent years, the Fairebel label has become synonymous with fair agricultural products of the highest quality. What began as a reaction to the milk crisis in 2009, developed into a real success story. “At a time when farmers feared for their livelihoods due to rock-bottom milk prices, they received no solutions from policy-makers and decided that it was time to take things into their own hands”, remembers Faircoop President, Erwin Schöpges.

Through our cooperative "Faire Milch Säuliamt", we sell two types of pasteurised milk in the eleven branches of the VOLG chain of stores. Unfortunately, it is not possible for us to sell more dairy products via this channel.

It would be difficult to find a dairy farmer who was left unscathed by the milk crisis of 2009. Rozenn Angenard, dairy farmer in the Ille-et-Vilaine department in Brittany, as well as Isabelle Rouyer and Cédric Dumaine, from the Orne department in Normandy, remember this period where they poured away their milk to protest the rock-bottom milk prices.

With the Fair Milk project, producers do not just advocate for their profession, they also take action to help people in need. As this project belongs to dairy farmers and is managed by them alone, they can react quickly and make their small contribution through Fair Milk.

Please read on for reports from different Fair Milk countries about their concrete action during crises.

We – the European farmers of ECVC and the European Milk Board who, as agricultural producers, are at the heart of food production – regard the current state of EU production systems with great concern. Unless action is taken immediately, it will no longer be possible to guarantee food security in the EU, i.e. the supply of key foodstuffs.

During the milk strike or while spraying the European Parliament in Brussels with milk, on World Milk Day alongside Manneken Pis or at the innumerable Fair Milk tastings in or outside supermarkets, at Europe-wide protests, agricultural fairs and press conferences or in many, many fields at the heart of Europe: Faironika, the EMB’s symbolic cow in different national colours has stood with farmers for 15 years and embodies their call for fair milk prices.

For the European Milk Board (EMB), this is a special milestone that deserves to be celebrated. EMB President Sieta van Keimpema believes that the mascot – also known as Justine or Onestina in different languages – is a friendly yet fiery fellow combatant with high impact. “15 years of Faironika – 15 years as THE symbol for fair milk. Farmers, consumers and policy-makers across Europe and, to some extent, in Africa as well recognise her and know what she stands for. This has been made possible thanks to the great work by EMB members and the successful Fair Milk projects.” Boris Gondouin, EMB Executive Committee member from France says that in this way, Faironika is also a symbol of mutual trust and solidarity: “Through Faironika, farmers show that they are united with their fellow milk producers in Europe and Africa and highlight the importance of a fair agricultural policy for farmers and citizens alike.”

Guy Diderrich from EMB member organisation LDB, who are the organisers of this year’s anniversary celebration in Luxembourg and have prepared a big cake as a birthday surprise for Faironika, looks back proudly over the past years, at the fighting spirit of his colleagues and the tireless commitment of this symbolic cow: “For 15 years now, Faironika has always been there at the effective, creative actions by farmers, and she will continue to be by our side during our intensive discussions, efforts and campaigns for a fair milk price. We farmers from across Europe, together with our colleagues from Africa, know that we must make our voices heard so that fair income for farmers and a stable food production system become a reality.”

Come rain or shine, in the north, south, east or west of Europe or even in Africa:  Faironika, Justine and Onestina in their respective country colours or in the EU blue will stand at the forefront of all future actions and will continue to support dairy farmers in their struggle for fair milk prices that will ensure a decent income in the agricultural sector.

Farmers wish Faironika, Justine and Onestina “Happy Birthday”

Carlos Neves, APROLEP, Portugal:

"The cow Faironika is for us the symbol of the unity of European dairy farmers with EMB in our peaceful, but firm fight for a fair milk price and a better life for all farmers from here in western Europe via Luxembourg to eastern countries, without forgetting Ukraine. Together, we are strong!"

Markus Hafner, South Tyrol/Italy:

"Best wishes from South Tyrol to Faironika and all our friends across Europe. Cheers to you!"

Paul Smyth, ICMSA, Ireland:

"We dairy farmers love Faironika because it represents a fair milk price across Europe for all dairy farmers. In Ireland, we believe in a fair milk price, which contributes to the sustainability of our family farms."

Boris Gondouin and Jean-Luc Pruvot, APLI and FaireFrance, France:

"It is plain to see that we love Justine – after all, she is wherever we are. She symbolises our political fight for cost-covering prices in Europe. But she is also the mascot of our FaireFrance brand and that is really important.

Justine has been our mascot for 15 years now – we were, in fact, the pioneers of Justine. She takes us on amazing adventures and as Muhammad Ali said: “It isn’t the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it’s the pebble in your shoe.” It is thanks to Justine and the energy of everyone we met along the way that we were able to launch our brand in France. It is a true pleasure to celebrate this milestone today. Happy Birthday!"

Elmar Hannen, BDM, Germany:

"Hello dear friends – it is time to celebrate Faironika’s birthday. She is synonymous with all these years of political struggle as well as our efforts with other stakeholders along the value chain for fair treatment. And we will continue this fight till we reach our goal."

Anne Chenevard, Faireswiss, Switzerland:

"On her many travels with Faireswiss, Justine ended up with three chipped legs and a damaged horn. But Justine is a bit like us, she never gives up. She might be brought down to one knee, but never to both. She gets back up and doesn’t lose hope. Justine will never give up and she believes in the future of fair milk."

Henning Haschenburger, Karolina Klaus-Althaus, Peter Habbena and Karsten Hansen, BDM, Germany

"Faironika, our symbolic cow, is at all our demonstrations, where she is noticed and showcased by the press. She is a sign of farmers fighting to defend their rights. For me, Faironika stands for our long-standing struggle, for change and for cost-covering prices in the agricultural sector. I am proud to have a Faironika on our farm.

Faironika – a love affair that dates back to 2015. The images from demonstrations in Brussels were simply fascinating and seeing this community with all these cows in their different national and European colours really sealed the deal for me.

Faironika – she is not just a German project, but a European one. Together, we fight for a fair milk price and the value of milk in Europe."

Kjartan Poulsen, LDM, Denmark:

"Dear Faironika, it is good to have you with us. It is a symbol of our struggle for fair income for farmers. Thank you!"

EMB and LDB press release of 4 July 2022

In Lithuania, farmers are disappointed at the way in which the Lithuanian CAP Strategic Plan was prepared. The Lithuanian Ministry of Agriculture worked on the Strategic Plan behind closed doors, excluding farmers from the process and not taking their input into account. As a result, dairy farmers are not happy with the outcome of the Lithuanian Strategic Plan.

We asked our Fair Milk producers to look back on 2022 and to give us their forecast for the coming year. Assessments differ from country to country, but all agree that Fair Milk is still necessary.