Netherlands
Dutch Dairymen Board nominated for the 2009 EBN Europe Democracy Award - Press release DDB
In the context of the week of democracy, the European movement in the Netherlands (EBN) has asked four Dutch members of European Parliament to nominate their favourite Dutch-European citizens’ initiatives for the EBN Europe Democracy Award 2009.
MEP Kartika Liotard has nominated EMB-member Dutch Dairymen Board (DDB) for this Award. Mrs Liotard, "the Dutch Dairymen Board has brought to the European Parliaments’ attention that the current situation of dairy farmers and their families is hopeless. This because of the low milk prices paid by the European Union. Their actions have gotten them attention in the entire European Union. Thanks to their initiatives, the problems of these dairy farmers and their families have been put on the European agenda.”
The DDB is surprised and honoured with the nomination, which, according to the DDB is due to the enormous efforts of all the Dutch and European dairy farmers in the European Milk Board (EMB).
In 2009, the DDB and EMB-members have shown great willingness by organising actions, demonstrations and by lobbying. These actions have raised awareness amongst European citizens about the flaws in the European dairy policy.
During the ‘European milk action weeks’ in September, the DDB and EMB organised several actions and demonstrations in their own countries and in Brussels and Luxembourg. These actions were not meant to raise funds, but to make clear that there should be a different, more honest dairy policy in Europe. As a result of these actions, the European Commission has formed a ‘High Level Group’. Their task is to develop a new regulation system for European dairy farmers, to help them gain a good position.
The DDB and EMB are a Dutch/European citizens’ initiative.
Do you think the DDB should win the European Democracy Award 2009? Please send an e-mail to ebn@clingendael.nl before 21 November, stating your choice for the DBB. Put ‘Dutch Dairymen Board’ in the subject line. In the e-mail you may include arguments about why the DDB deserves the European Democracy Award 2009. Feel free to forward this e-mail to your own contacts, so that we can try to get as many votes as possible. The winner will be announced on 24 November.
If you would like to see the movie in which Kartika Liotard announces her nomination, please visit the DDB website: www.ddb.nu
Spain
EMB and PROLEC participating at cattle conference in Spain.
Sieta van Keimpema, Vicepresident of EMB: "An European lobby of the dairy farmers is necessary to reach a fair position in the chain of production in order to be able to negotiate prices"
Austria
Austrian dairy farmer is not allowed to position lifesize artificial cows Faironikas at field.
