Dairy farmers demonstrate in Brussels

Dairy farmers from across Europe have taken to the streets of Brussels to protest against low milk prices. Spraying milk from hoses at the European Parliament, they called for the politicians inside to find a solution. Milk producers say the cost of production is higher than the amount they make from selling milk. One German protestor said: “We cannot live off less than 40 Cent (per litre of milk). Everything is getting dearer: running costs, animal feed…” An Italian demonstrator added: “We are against the old system of quota, we want new rules to garantee a fair milk price. Today we are at the financial collapse” The situation is set to get worse when milk quotas, which offer some protection, disappear in 2015. Policy makers meet this week to decide on reforms of the Common Market Organisation which sets quotas and prices for managing agriultural markets in Europe. Green MEP, José Bové wants to see action: “If the PAC reform doesn’t bring concrete solutions to this problem,then tomorrow there won’t be anymore than a fraction of the farmers here today. So today is a clear warning shot from the farmers to say we still want to be here tomorrow, we want to make a living from our work.” European Farmers came to Brussels in order to say: “Our patience has snapped!” They insist they won’t leave until their voice is heard in the EU institutions.