Farmers blocking three abattoirs

THREE abattoirs owned by the Bigard group, France’s biggest beef suppliers, are being blocked by farmers in the west, who are demanding price rises of 60centimes/kg.

One family of farmers from the Ain told television channel TF1 that it had become impossible to make a profit: if they buy a heifer and resell it two years later, they make nothing on the animal, they said.

Farmer Jonathan Janchon said: “Over the years we’ve lost 10 centimes one year, 10 centimes the next year and 10 centimes the next and finally the margin is too small, especially compared to the investments we are obliged to make.”

He said making their buildings meet new norms cost €230,000.

Abattoirs at Cherré (Sarthe), Coutances (Manche) and Cholet (Maine-et-Loire) are being blocked for an unspecified period, according to agriculture union FNSEA.

The Bigard group, which owns the Charal brand, controls about half of the French beef market.

This, farmers say, means Bigard can control prices. The group is estimated to have a turnover of about €5 billion.

Photo: fotolia.com © Andi Taranczuk