The Sindicato Labrego Galego Challenges Discriminatory Practices in Galicia's Dairy Industry
Source: dairynews.today
The Sindicato Labrego Galego (SLG) has embarked on a campaign to expose economic discrimination faced by small and medium-sized dairy farms in Galicia by major dairy companies such as Lactalis, CAPSA, and Lence.
The Sindicato Labrego Galego (SLG) has launched a campaign highlighting the economic discrimination against small and medium-sized dairy farms in Galicia by main industry players Lactalis, CAPSA, and Lence.
The campaign aims to raise awareness among consumers and public administrations about commercial strategies that favor large-scale farms over family-run, sustainable models.
On March 21st, SLG sent formal communications to these companies, articulating concerns over below-average prices offered to numerous family farms, while large farms benefit from quantity-based bonuses. It's estimated that around 3,000 Galician farms are affected, accounting for half of the total.
The SLG criticizes the quantity bonus, which rewards mass production and excludes farms producing under 240,000 liters annually, with 48.60% of Galician farms producing less than 250,000 liters per year.
This exclusion leads to base price earnings without supplements, averaging below €0.40/liter, versus €0.44 for larger farms. National averages as of February 2025 stand at €0.455/liter, while the EU-27 average is €0.467/liter.
SLG warns that such policies risk dismantling the family farm model, impacting rural employment and environmental stewardship. "The issue isn't just milk pricing; it's about the rural society model we want," says the SLG, pointing out dominant industry power and profit not trickling down to producers.
The campaign aims to raise awareness among consumers and public administrations about commercial strategies that favor large-scale farms over family-run, sustainable models.
On March 21st, SLG sent formal communications to these companies, articulating concerns over below-average prices offered to numerous family farms, while large farms benefit from quantity-based bonuses. It's estimated that around 3,000 Galician farms are affected, accounting for half of the total.
The SLG criticizes the quantity bonus, which rewards mass production and excludes farms producing under 240,000 liters annually, with 48.60% of Galician farms producing less than 250,000 liters per year.
This exclusion leads to base price earnings without supplements, averaging below €0.40/liter, versus €0.44 for larger farms. National averages as of February 2025 stand at €0.455/liter, while the EU-27 average is €0.467/liter.
SLG warns that such policies risk dismantling the family farm model, impacting rural employment and environmental stewardship. "The issue isn't just milk pricing; it's about the rural society model we want," says the SLG, pointing out dominant industry power and profit not trickling down to producers.
