European dairy groups to dump milk in protest over 'devaluation'
Around 20 tractors will simultaneously spray milk across a field in Germany on Sunday (May 31), ahead of World Milk Day on June 1 to protest the "devaluation" of produce.
Afterwards, a rally featuring dairy farmers will take place.
The German Dairy Farmers' Association (BDM) and the European Milk Board (EMB) described the event as “a protest against the politically accepted devaluation of food”.
The protest will take place in a field opposite Farm Habbena, in East Frisia, Germany.
In a statement, the groups said: “On World Milk Day (June 1), the value of milk is celebrated.
“At the same time, many farms experience every day how this value is being economically destroyed.
“The real waste is not taking place on this particular day - it is happening every single day in a market that systematically devalues high-quality food products.”
‘Milk crisis’
The groups said the current situation "is neither accidental nor the result of individual farm failures.
“It is the consequence of political decisions - and political inaction.”
They added that the proposed solution is responsibility “shifted onto individual farmers” and said that dairy farms operate within a system “in which they can hardly pass on rising costs”.
“Energy, feed, machinery, construction costs and regulations are increasing – while the milk price paid to producers is largely determined by dairies, retailers and the world market.
“Individual farms have practically no market power.
“As a result, many farms are left with only two options in order to survive economically: reduce costs and produce more," the statement said.
However, BDM and EMB maintained that additional volumes push prices down even further.
“The result is a vicious circle of overproduction, price pressure and an ever-growing struggle for survival.
“An individual dairy farm cannot solve the crisis on its own," the statement continued.
‘Politically organised’
According to the groups, crises require "a collective, politically organised approach”.
They added: “Only if volumes are reduced in a temporary and coordinated way can there be any noticeable relief for the market – without individual farms having to bear the burden alone.
“This is exactly why crisis instruments such as voluntary volume reduction programmes already exist at EU level, along with market instruments that can improve farmers’ market position.
“But instead of consistently using such instruments or strengthening them in favour of producers, politicians refer to ‘the market’ and shift responsibility back onto farmers themselves.”
The groups said that the “crisis” is "the result of political framework conditions that prevent collective solutions and consistently prioritise the interests of the food industry in obtaining cheap raw materials”.
The groups are demanding an activation of voluntary volume reduction at EU level; binding contracts before delivery, with "clear agreements on price, quantity, quality and duration before delivery".
They also called for “genuine reforms" of the Common Agricultural Policy and the Common Market Organisation.
