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EMB - European Milk Board asbl
Rue de la Loi 155
B-1040 Bruxelles
Tel.: +32 - 2808 - 1935
Fax: +32 - 2808 - 8265
Dear dairy farmers, dear interested parties,
Ireland’s dairy sector has long been a key pillar of the country’s agricultural economy combining both deep-rooted tradition and ‘state-of-the-art’ innovation. And yet, today, Irish dairy farmers are facing unprecedented challenges: increasing production costs, tightening environmental regulations, and volatile milk prices are putting significant pressure on their livelihoods. Recent extreme weather conditions have only intensified the situation, demonstrating just how vulnerable farmers are to factors beyond their control.
These difficulties in Ireland are not isolated. Across Europe, dairy farmers are grappling with similar issues. Whether in France, Germany, Lithuania or Spain – farmers are facing rising production costs, fluctuating farm-gate prices, and a policy environment that often demands more while offering little in terms of fair market structures. In many regions, it is becoming increasingly clear that the survival of family farms – the backbone of our European agricultural model – is under severe threat.
It is precisely because these challenges are shared that solidarity and coordinated action at the European level are essential. As the European Milk Board, we must continue to emphasise that only a comprehensive approach to sustainability – one that encompasses economic, social and environmental pillars – can secure the future of dairy farming in Europe.
Fair prices that cover production costs and proper market regulation that actively deals with destructive volatility and corporate margin-grabbing are prerequisites for some degree of stability and an easing of the pressures on what’s left of the EU’s indigenous family farm structure. But above all, we desperately require political recognition of the strategic importance of family farms that must be placed at the centre of European agricultural policy. Recent examples, such as the successful implementation of voluntary production reduction schemes and national legislation prohibiting the purchase of foodstuffs below production cost, show that positive change is possible when the right instruments are employed.
As we look ahead, the EMB will continue to advocate for measures that strengthen the economic foundation of dairy farming and enable farmers to meet societal and environmental expectations without compromising their livelihoods. Whether in Ireland, Denmark, Portugal or Poland, our demands remain the same: a fair income, market transparency, and a viable future for the next generations of dairy farmers.
Together, we are stronger.
Denis Drennan, member of the EMB Executive Committee
Arla/DMK merger creates new cooperative giant
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- © EMB
EMB statement: “We have to talk about cooperatives! What cooperatives are – what they are not – and what they pretend to be!”
AbL speaks out against the planned merger of Arla and DMK
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- © AbL
The German small farmers’ association (Arbeitsgemeinschaft bäuerliche Landwirtschaft, AbL) has expressed strong criticism about the planned merger of Arla Foods, a Danish-Swedish dairy cooperative, and the German DMK Group. AbL especially deplores the lack of transparency and predicts potential disadvantages for producers.
Read more...Arla Foods acquires the DMK Group: do we need a fundamental overhaul of the milk market?
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- © BDM e.V.
As Germany formed a new coalition government and farmers were waiting to find out who the next Federal Minister for Agriculture would be, milk producers were discussing the upcoming merger/acquisition of Arla Foods and DMK.
About 14 years after the creation of Germany’s largest dairy company Deutsches Milchkontor (DMK), following the merger of Nordmilch eG and Humana Milchunion eG, it looks like the curtains are set to close on DMK. As a matter of fact, the two cooperatives that joined forces at the time were also the result of a whole string of acquisitions. The statements made in the wake of the announcement of Arla’s planned acquisition of DMK are reminiscent of previous takeovers: it will lead to the most powerful dairy in Germany (now in the EU). It will create better market access, innovation will increase etc. These justifications wish to imply that now everything will be better. However, experience from the last decade shows otherwise as the farm-gate milk price paid by DMK, or Arla for that matter, was never great.
This acquisition/merger will not be the last, which begs the question if it is enough for antitrust authorities to give their approval in exchange for some concessions that could at least partially improve the market position of milk producers (e.g. raising pooling limits, compulsory contracts, prohibiting parallel corporate structures etc.)? According to the BDM, the time has come to truly build a future-proof milk market system to make dairy farming economically attractive. This includes rethinking how the milk processing industry deals with collection, analysis, payment/invoicing and perhaps an initial processing of raw milk carried out by dairy farmers or their interbranch organisation.
The BDM is currently speaking to a lawyer to clarify some of the legal questions from members. In an urgent online exchange held on 25 April, dairy farmers could discuss, ask questions and express their views on the merger.
You can find BDM’s position on the planned merger in this press release (in German).
More news from Germany
Together with Land schafft Verbindung (LsV), Freie Bauern Baden-Württemberg and MEG Milch Board, BDM’s farmers were at the spring conference of Agriculture Ministers of the German federal states in Baden-Baden and organised a symbolic action. Our message on 27 March was: “Release the brakes – Support the proposals by EU Commissioner Hansen for future-proof agriculture! Strengthen the market position of farmers!”
Photo: BDM e.V.
Alongside other formalities, this year’s Federal Delegates Assembly – the BDM’s highest body – also held elections to the Executive Committee and the Advisory Board. The current Executive Committee was re-elected. An overview of the organisation’s activities and developments in 2025 was also provided.
Photo: BDM e.V.
The farmers' pilgrimage to Altötting was held for the 17th time on 6 April. About 1200 visitors in the St. Anne Basilica prayed together and received blessings for people, animals and fields; for health, peace and the integrity of creation. In the afternoon, Dr. Stefan Einsiedel from the Centre for Global Studies of the Munich School of Philosophy presented a new study commissioned by the German Bishop’s Conference. The study focuses on promoting sustainable, environmentally and socially conscious agricultural policy with a value-based regulatory framework that rolls back unsustainable subsidies and adequately remunerates environmental action by farmers. This year’s farmer’s pilgrimage was organised by AbL, with the support of BDM.
Bundesverband Deutscher Milchviehhalter e.V. (BDM)
Uniterre, BIG-M, BBK and BZS call for a sweeping reform of IP Lait
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- © Uniterre, BIG-M, BBK and BZS
Multiple Swiss farmers’ organisations have called into question the role and legitimacy of the interbranch organisation IP Lait through a parliamentary motion. Their demand: a fairer governance system, more transparency in contracts, and milk prices aligned with production costs.
Read more...Switzerland: A postage stamp for fair milk prices!
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- © BIG-M
Great initiative in Switzerland: the Di fair Milch cooperative has come up with an innovative way to raise awareness about fair milk prices. A special postage stamp featuring Faironika, the EMB cow in Swiss colours, that makes every letter a tiny ambassador for cost-covering producer prices.
Read more...Swedish dairy farmers at a crossroads
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- © Ulrik Isleborn
The milk price is currently acceptable for most Swedish producers. A few dairies are unable to match the price offered by the market leader, but there is a general hope among farmers that milk prices will at least remain at their current level.
Read more...The dairy sector and the future (of the) Green Deal
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- © EMB, Roberto Cavaliere
While a potential revision of the European Green Deal offers both challenges and opportunities, the possible – positive and negative – impacts on the dairy sector would be significant. Producers could face higher costs as a result of adopting greener practices, investing in sustainable technologies, and meeting stricter regulations.
Read more...Proposal for a European regulation on the transport of unweaned calves – a threat to dairy farming in Europe
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- © Vanessa Langer
The European Parliament and the Council of the European Union wish to amend the legislation on animal transports. According to the draft regulation, it will no longer be possible to transport calves younger than five weeks and weighing less than 50 kg. This measure would have severe economic and practical consequences for dairy farmers.
Read more...Legal notice
European Milk Board asbl
Rue de la Loi 155
B-1040 Bruxelles
Tel: +32 2808 1935
Fax: +32 2808 8265
E-Mail: office@europeanmilkboard.org
Website: http://www.europeanmilkboard.org