Dairy Farmers Rally for Recognition in Paris
Source: The DairyNews
In the lead-up to the Agricultural Fair, farmers intensify their call for governmental attention.
Tractors line the periphery of the National Assembly as over fifty dairy farmers stage a protest near the Palais Bourbon in Paris this Tuesday, urging improved remuneration. With the Agricultural Fair on the horizon and after two weeks of nationwide road blockades by farmers, these producers persist in pressuring the government, undeterred by executive announcements on February 1st.
The APLI (Association of Independent Milk Producers) spearheads the movement, asserting that the government's measures are insufficient to address the deeper, structural pricing issues faced by farmers. Adrien Lefèvre, spokesperson for the association, conveyed this sentiment on France Bleu Paris.
"We advocate for a European Egalim"
A banner affixed to the back of a tractor declares, "Fair milk should be recognized as a public utility." This rallying cry is echoed on a mock cow, patriotically painted in the hues of the French flag.
Producers are also highlighting the challenge of unfair competition. Lefèvre emphasized on the public service radio, "The issue with Egalim is its limited scope to France; we need a European Egalim. Without such measures at the European level, cheaper German milk flooding into France undermines any gains we make per liter, leading to volume losses due to competition from neighboring countries."
This afternoon, representatives from FNSEA and Young Farmers (JA) are set to confer with Prime Minister Gabriel Attal at Matignon. The meeting, attended by Agriculture Minister Marc Fesneau and Deputy Minister Agnès Pannier-Runacher, aims to address the concerns raised by dairy producers.
The APLI (Association of Independent Milk Producers) spearheads the movement, asserting that the government's measures are insufficient to address the deeper, structural pricing issues faced by farmers. Adrien Lefèvre, spokesperson for the association, conveyed this sentiment on France Bleu Paris.
"We advocate for a European Egalim"
A banner affixed to the back of a tractor declares, "Fair milk should be recognized as a public utility." This rallying cry is echoed on a mock cow, patriotically painted in the hues of the French flag.
Producers are also highlighting the challenge of unfair competition. Lefèvre emphasized on the public service radio, "The issue with Egalim is its limited scope to France; we need a European Egalim. Without such measures at the European level, cheaper German milk flooding into France undermines any gains we make per liter, leading to volume losses due to competition from neighboring countries."
This afternoon, representatives from FNSEA and Young Farmers (JA) are set to confer with Prime Minister Gabriel Attal at Matignon. The meeting, attended by Agriculture Minister Marc Fesneau and Deputy Minister Agnès Pannier-Runacher, aims to address the concerns raised by dairy producers.
