Milk strike halted until October 5
Protests are suspended as EU calls crisis meeting to discuss financial aid for loss-making dairy farmers
DAIRY farmers in France have suspended their strike action for 10 days pending emergency talks in Brussels.
Thousands of producers have been protesting since September 10 about low prices, which they say are causing them to make heavy losses.
EU agriculture ministers are due to meet on October 5 to discuss financial aid for producers and a possible Europe-wide agreement on prices. The idea has the support of 20 of the 27 member states.
European Milk Board chief Romuald Schaber said the strike was suspended until then “but it will be back on in a flash if no reasonable decisions are taken."
The strike was called by independent milk farmers’ association APLI, with counterparts from seven other countries joining their action.
The number of farmers taking part has varied from region to region. According to the union, it reached almost 50% in the Loire.
Since then, millions of litres have been thrown away, a branch of the Crédit Agricole bank was flooded with milk and factories have been blockaded to prevent deliveries being made.
Producers warn they are losing tens of thousands of euros a year and are on the brink of going bust.
They want prices of about €350 to €400 per 1,000 litres, compared with the €260 to €280 currently paid.
