Update on European Milk Market Crisis

EU - With 40 per cent of French dairy farmers in revolt, other European countries are beginning to stop milk distribution and starting to dump milk.

14 September 2009

1 minute read

Around 35,000 French dairy farmers have stopped milk distribution, in some regions 100 per cent are striking, more are likely to begin today. Some German, Belgium and Luxembourg dairy farmers have prevented distribution, whilst in Belgium, farmers have dumped milk on highways and given out free milk in cities. 150, 000 litres of milk was poured away into fields near an agricultural fair in Marche-en-Famenne in the southern Wallon region last weekend (13 September).

In Austria, Italy, Switzerland and the Netherlands there is strong movement towards a milk delivery stop. Austrian IG-Milch said: "The farmers here are very optimistic and ready to fight for their farms. We are sure, that a high percentage of our farmers will be on strike very shortly."

A parliamentary session will be held in Strasbourg this week (14-17 September) for the monthly session of debates and votes. MEP's will vote on proposals by the European Commission to shore up the milk market by agreeing aid to buy up butter and milk powder until February next year.