Swedish dairy farmers under considerable strain - source
Farmers voice frustration over regulations, bureaucratic demands
18 December 2024
2 minute read
By: Sweden's dairy sector is under significant strain, according to a recent newsletter from the European Milk Board.
According to Claes Jonsson, president of Dairy Farmers of Sweden, its members are voicing increasing frustration over the escalating complexity of regulations and bureaucratic demands.
"Arla, the largest dairy cooperative, is at the centre of much of this criticism," Jonsson said. "Dairy farmers are expressing exhaustion and dissatisfaction with systems like Arlagården, along with the burdensome climate calculations and sustainability payments required by such cooperatives."
The dissatisfaction stems from the perceived inaccuracies in these climate calculations, according to Jonsson, which fail to account for carbon sequestration, leading to a sense of injustice, especially among those managing larger plots of land.
"This situation is impacting not only the financial aspects of dairy farming but also the morale of farmers, eroding their job satisfaction, sense of autonomy, and ownership rights," he said.
The acquisition of the Swedish slaughter division of HK Scan by Lantmännen, the largest cooperative in the feed and grain sector, further complicates the situation. This move has potential implications for the dairy sector, especially in terms of slaughtering and pricing structures, adding another layer of uncertainty in an already challenging environment.
"While we are facing a harsh winter with its corresponding difficulties, the more pressing concern remains the future of dairy farming in Sweden," Jonsson said. "Our community is actively seeking ways to reverse these troubling trends."
"We are inspired by the actions of farmers in various EU countries who are actively protesting against similar policies in their regions," he continued. "Their resolve gives us hope and their efforts have our full support. However, it remains challenging to mobilise a unified response in Sweden, as the desire for substantial change seems limited to a few."
Jonsson concluded by saying the situation calls for a concerted effort to address the specific issues plaguing the Swedish dairy sector and find viable solutions that can restore balance and fairness to this vital part of Sweden's agricultural heritage.
