"The Running Camembert... the Farmers": In Front of Lactalis in Bayeux, Dairy Producers Stand Firm
Source: The DairyNews
Farmers gathered this Thursday in front of a Lactalis facility in Calvados. They intend to maintain pressure after the mobilization and are still awaiting certain answers.
Veiled by barbecue smoke, the atmosphere is cheerful this Thursday, February 15, in front of the Lactalis group's factory at the roundabout of Europe, near Bayeux (Calvados). The twenty or so farmers present in front of the site have erected signs with the slogan "The running Camembert... the producers," above a famous French Camembert brand produced by the industrial group.
We have seen stronger waves of agricultural mobilization in recent times, but the protesters, at the request of the FDSEA and Young Farmers, intend to "maintain pressure. We give time to the authorities to make proposals after the measures, but we are active during this period," justifies Philippe Marie, a breeder and member of the FDSEA of Bessin.
Last week, these farmers had visited several stores in the city to inspect the origin of products on the shelves. "In charcuterie, for example, more than 50% of the items are of foreign origin," complains Philippe Marie. In this context, these producers do not want to stick to government measures, which they consider incomplete: "Regarding the Egalim Law and our remuneration, there are few answers. The price of milk and meat must evolve to cover costs."
In a contract with Lactalis, Jean-François noted the decline, especially at the end of last year. This Bessin breeder speaks of "cash flow being affected, while expenses have increased." "Collectors tell us it will go up, but it's not enough." Farmers have secured a meeting with a factory representative to extract some fragments of Lactalis' recent silence. Government announcements have not lulled the vigilance of farmers. According to Jean-François, "the real decisions are made at the European level, and that's where it's more complicated. The choices are not in favor of our French model." Institutions and industrialists will be closely watched in the coming weeks.
We have seen stronger waves of agricultural mobilization in recent times, but the protesters, at the request of the FDSEA and Young Farmers, intend to "maintain pressure. We give time to the authorities to make proposals after the measures, but we are active during this period," justifies Philippe Marie, a breeder and member of the FDSEA of Bessin.
Last week, these farmers had visited several stores in the city to inspect the origin of products on the shelves. "In charcuterie, for example, more than 50% of the items are of foreign origin," complains Philippe Marie. In this context, these producers do not want to stick to government measures, which they consider incomplete: "Regarding the Egalim Law and our remuneration, there are few answers. The price of milk and meat must evolve to cover costs."
In a contract with Lactalis, Jean-François noted the decline, especially at the end of last year. This Bessin breeder speaks of "cash flow being affected, while expenses have increased." "Collectors tell us it will go up, but it's not enough." Farmers have secured a meeting with a factory representative to extract some fragments of Lactalis' recent silence. Government announcements have not lulled the vigilance of farmers. According to Jean-François, "the real decisions are made at the European level, and that's where it's more complicated. The choices are not in favor of our French model." Institutions and industrialists will be closely watched in the coming weeks.
