EMB Newsletter June 2021 Special edition Fair Milk
Newsletter as PDF
Contact
EMB - European Milk Board asbl
Rue de la Loi 155
B-1040 Bruxelles
Phone: +32 - 2808 - 1935
Fax: +32 - 2808 - 8265
Dear dairy farmers, dear interested parties, dear Fair Milk partners,
We would like to devote the entire June newsletter to one of the EMB’s most extraordinary projects: Fair Milk. It is the best example and living proof that fair prices for milk can be reality – a goal that the EMB has been strongly advocating for across Europe. Data from a study that will be published shortly show that the average income of farm managers and family labour in the EU milk sector is well below the minimum wage. The fact that the number of farms going out of business is rapidly rising is a direct consequence of this harsh reality. Faced with this situation, the pioneers of Fair Milk decided more than a decade ago to take matters into their own hands and started selling part of their milk production themselves. Fair Milk is the only European brand that is run by dairy farmers themselves.
I am constantly amazed at how the different Fair Milk projects as well as the people driving them have grown over the years. Today, they are not only one of the cornerstones of the EMB’s political work, but are also directly helping to achieve comprehensive sustainability on farms. After all Fair Milk contributes to economic sustainability as the earnings from each litre of milk sold are actually passed on to the participating dairy farmers. This means that they are paid a fair price and can ensure the long-term survival of their farms. In addition, Fair Milk also encourages a revival of the direct contact between farmers and consumers. All the projects agree that this contact is essential – something that is underlined in the articles included in this newsletter as well. Present on Belgian, German, French, Luxembourgian and Swiss (fridge) shelves, Fair Milk sends a strong message of fair prices to the broader public – and thus fulfils an important political function as well.
In addition, Fair Milk also plays a huge direct role in our lobbying efforts as it is simply the best example that cost-covering milk production is very much possible and not just a pipe dream. In terms of public awareness, our Fair Milk ambassador, the Faironika, has become an important symbol with high recall value. She is effectively used in political actions, at protests as well as during meetings with policy-makers to draw attention to our demands and to reiterate our political message. “Justine”, as she is known in French, was recently out and about in the EU quarter in Brussels on World Milk Day. This summer, she will be present at different actions, embodying our urgent call for significant improvements in milk prices.
I would like to take this opportunity to expressly thank the Fair Milk dairy farmers and compliment them on their amazing work. It is all thanks to you and your efforts that this project has enjoyed such broad success in so many countries. It also generates faith and hope for a viable future among young dairy farmers. Let’s keep at it and continue to build on the complementary political and economic empowerment of this important project!
Sieta van Keimpema, EMB President
My journey with “D’Fair Mëllech”
2020 marks the first year of Faireswiss: let's take stock!
July’s golden highlight: the Fair Milk Conference in Luxembourg
Fair Milk on social media
Impressum
European Milk Board asbl
Rue de la Loi 155
B-1040 Bruxelles
Phone: +32 2808 1935
Fax: +32 2808 8265
E-Mail: office@europeanmilkboard.org
Website: http://www.europeanmilkboard.org