France - dairy farmers

Milk producers refuse to leave occupied plant

Article published on the 2009-06-04 Latest update 2009-06-05 14:36 TU

French milk farmers protest falling milk prices in Laval, 2 June 2009.
(Photo: AFP)

Milk farmers, protesting low prices on dairy products, refused to leave a processing plant in southern France Wednesday night after a deal struck between farmers and milk distributers promised a modest increase in prices for 2009.

The deal, which was struck at the ministry of agriculture after a string of late-night negotiations, is “unsatisfactory but indispensible” according to FNPL, a major milk producers’ union.

Yet despite the deal, farmers in Riom-ès-Montagne where Cantal cheese is produced refused to leave a processing plant they had been occupying since Monday, saying that with the bottom falling out of the international market for dairy products, increased prices doesn’t guarantee that farmers will be able to sell all their milk.

“Even today, a certain number of farmers find themselves with an insufficiently low production, and they need to be paid to stay afloat,” said Chantal Cor, the president of a local milk producers’ union.

Famers will receive between 262 and 280 euros per tonne of milk depending on its final usage. Those producing for industrial uses such as powdered milk and butter will receive less than those providing milk for refined consumer products like cheese and yogurt.

According to the unions, this is between 65 et 57 euros less than farmers received in 2008.

After the deal was signed, a judge ordered the farmers out of the factory, with a penalty of 300 euros for every hour that it remains closed.

As of Thursday afternoon, Lactalis, the company which operates the factory, reports that no activity has resumed.

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