News / EU

EU farmers protest in Brussels over low dairy prices

Monday, 14 March 2016 7:13 PM [ Last Update: Monday, 14 March 2016 7:11 PM ]

Farmers block the European Union Commission in Brussels on March 14, 2016 to protest against falling food prices. (AFP Photo)

Farmers have staged a protest on a makeshift farm in front of the European institutions in Brussels where agriculture ministers are discussing the plunge in prices that has shaken the dairy industry.

The farmers gathered in front of the offices of the 'Mouvement Reformateur' political party on Monday to demand better regulation of agricultural production and to protest against what they see as the EU's liberalization of the dairy market.

Protesters arrived outside the offices of the party, which is in the ruling Belgian coalition government, in tractors as part of a gathering to draw attention to the summit of the Agriculture and Fisheries council, being held in Brussels on Monday.

The protesters sprayed milk and threw eggs at the office building while blocking nearby roads with their tractors.

One protester said, "There needs to be more regulation of the market in order to get better prices."

They attempted to hold a meeting with Belgian Minister of Agriculture Willy Borsus, but were stopped by security forces. Protesters say the falling price of milk has led to a situation in which regional farmers are not able to cover production costs.

At present, production costs are around 41 euro cents (46 USD cents) per liter, according to the FUGEA farmers association. Farmers say they only earn half that amount from the sale of milk.

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