Milk price must be higher
NMV puts FrieslandCampina on fire
The NMV (Dutch Dairy Farmers' Union) wants FrieslandCampina's milk price to rise significantly. The union expects a firm return, now that dairy farmers are forced time and again to become more sustainable.
The new coalition agreement states that the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) will monitor whether farmers receive a higher price if they produce against requirements that exceed the statutory requirements. This is for example in the field of animal welfare or sustainability. FrieslandCampina is imposing more and more obligations on suppliers that are not required by law. For example, with the smoking of the group stable† The NMV therefore expects the dairy to compensate for this policy with a higher milk price.
Indigestible Prescriptions
According to the union, the regulations imposed by FrieslandCampina have nothing to do with milk quality. The union even calls the measures unpalatable, because dairy farmers already have a lot of uncertainty due to the approaching phosphate rights. The bad milk price in 2016 is still fresh in our minds.
The union is surprised at the fact that FrieslandCampina is banning the group stable. This housing system has many positive aspects, such as a relatively low ammonia emission. It also causes few claw problems and loss. The group barn is also ideal for grazing. According to NMV chairman, Harm Wiegersma, it is not realistic to show group stables the door. "The problem that FrieslandCampina believes it sees will resolve itself in the future."
Preservation of family business
The NMV is afraid that FrieslandCampina's policy will create 'one size fits all' in dairy farming. This also jeopardizes the progress of the family business. According to the NMV, many smaller family farms have a group stable. Wiegersma estimates that there are still approximately 1.100 group stables in the Netherlands. According to the NMV chairman, diversity is better for dairy farming. "What are the consequences if the unit sausage moves in the wrong direction?"
According to Wiegersma, FrieslandCampina looks too much at society and too little at the interests in dairy farming. "It is precisely a cooperative like FrieslandCampina that should cherish its members."
Wouter Job
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