Dairy farmers in Switzerland are demanding increases in milk prices. They initiated a campaign in which they call on the processing industry and, above all, large retail chains to be responsible in business and help farmers from whose work they benefit and derive profits.
A large “SOS” sign was created yesterday in a 5-hectare field between the villages of Echallens and Goumoens-la-Ville. Farmers created it from tractors lined up with their lights on. In this way, they initiated a campaign in which they demand increases in milk prices for cattle breeders – we read in Schweizer Bauer.
The campaign was initiated by the agricultural movement Révolte Agricole Suisse. Similar actions are now to be organized throughout Switzerland. This is the result of the lack of response to farmers’ earlier appeals for help and reductions in purchasing milk rates.
Breeders demand that dairies increase milk prices by 5 to 10 cents, depending on the region and the class of raw material. Dairies, however, throw up their hands because the market price is dictated mainly by large retailers.
Appeal to retailers
Therefore, at the beginning of February, farmers also sent petitions to large retail chains such as Coop, Migros, Lidl and Aldi. They called for retailers to shift 0.738% of their turnover from the service sector to the primary sector. This would be 500 million Swiss francs, which will save farmers from bankruptcy.
Due to the lack of profitability, farms are closing down and breeders are giving up breeding. Farmers demand a fair distribution of profits from milk and purchase prices that guarantee the profitability of production.
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