Editorial: Anger Still Reigns in Europe over Milk Prices

European dairy farmers have severely criticised the latest European Commission milk package.

The Confédération Paysanne and the European Coordination Via Campesina (ECVC), the ECVC, the EMB (European Milk Board) and FFE (Fairness for Farmers in Europe) said that the milk package that as adopted earlier this year has left farmers at the mercy of the milk processors.

They claim is has meant that they are producing more for less money and the have warned that a healthy dairy industry cannot be based at selling milk at a loss.

They say they are selling their milk at less than the cost of production and they have called for a supply management system for sustainable pan-European production on family farms.

In Sweden, dairy farmers calling themselves the "Milk Brigade" have carried out strikes at Varberg port as part of a video appeal that is spreading online.

A video produced by the 'Milk Brigade' has spread via YouTube after being filmed on Sunday in Varberg port. The film shows five tankers driving into the harbour from a ferry.

The protest video uses emotive captions such as 'Danish milk pours into Sweden', 'Hurry to save Swedish flour production', and 'Our dairy companies are bleeding money'.

Meanwhile, the Swedish Farmers Association and Swedish Dairy have signed an agreement forming the Farmers Association (LRF) Milk, taking effect on 1 January.

The purpose of the formation of LRF Milk is to strengthen the Swedish milk producers' influence and opportunities in the commercial and political market.

This is to be achieved through a new organisation that is 'comprehensive and effective' and concentrates on specific dairy industry issues.

The decision to form this group was made by the Swedish Dairy Association's Board of Directors in late October.

In Spain, the government has announced that €31 million has been made available in the agricultural budget for the dairy industry after a second draft of the royal decree has an added clause introducing extra subsidy payments for dairy farmers.

This announcement coincides with the elections in Galacia, a traditional dairy area which recently saw a milk strike and unrest in the farming community over milk prices.

The government has stressed that the clause could still be modified.

COAG (The Coordinator of Farmers and Ranchers) has called on agricultural minister, Arias Cañete, to explain the reasons behind this last minute change.