Protests in Europe:
- France: after ongoing protests with dairy blockages by farmers, last Friday it was agreed with the dairy industry that an average price of 34 cents / liter would be paid across the sector in 2015. The prices are currently below 30 cents / liter. Some protest events were aimed at neighboring countries. German trucks were observed at campaigns on the border, and German farmers were accused of driving price dumping. – The French member associations of the EMB, APLI and OPL, are distancing themselves from such campaigns, where the producers of other countries are held responsible for the problems. The organisations focus on joint solidarity campaigns for all milk producers in Europe, to find a solution to this European problem together. The problems are the same everywhere: due to the surplus of milk throughout Europe, the farmers are not receiving a fair price for their work. This affects all producers equally.
- Belgium: at the opening of the agriculture trade fair in Libramont, at a campaign on Friday producers of the EMB member association MIG protested loudly, to get their views heard by the government. Then, talks took place with the Wallonian Minister-President and the Ministers of Agriculture of Wallonia and of the Federal State. The Belgian Prime Minister was also present. Agriculture Commissioner Hogan cancelled his trade fair visit at short notice, so that no meeting was possible with him. The MIG announced further campaigns. In a press release from July 27, the MIG also demanded an increase in the milk price, to the level that is currently agreed in France, to at least be able to cover bare production costs. For many Belgian producers, the milk price is currently still only on average 25 cents/kg. Here 2 videos about the event: video 1 video 2
- Germany: on July 24 a protest by the producers of the AbL and the BDM-Team Lower Saxony took place in front of the offices of Deutsches Milchkontor (DMK), Germany’s largest dairy. Thereby, the producers criticized the focus on export production, although sales markets are lacking worldwide, and the resulting surplus production of dairy. In June, the producers of the DMK only received 27 cents/liter. Milk quantities must be reduced immediately, so that the prices can recover, according to the protesters.
- Portugal: in Portugal the situation is extremely difficult, too, and the producers are protesting, among others at a campaign on July 15. Last year the milk prices fell by 25 %. As representatives from Portugal report, the sector is in the most difficult chapter of its history. Many producers still only receive an average milk price of 23 cents per liter. Here some photos of the protest.
- Lithuania: sources report that Lithuania will be the first country to apply for intervention. Lithuania has offered almost 200 tons of skimmed milk powder (SMP) for public intervention. A further 500 tons should follow weekly, until at least the end of next month (in total approx. 2,700 tons). The price situation in the Baltic state is so fatal that they have to rely on this lowly support from the EU.
