Standing with dairy farmers and happy holidays

European farmers took to the streets last week, with 10,000 of them showing up in Brussels to protest the new EU-Mercosur trade agreement. Milcherzeuger-Interessengemeinschaft (MIG) stated, in its report, “Cheaper products from Mercosur countries, produced in a barely regulated, intensive production model at much lower cost, present direct unfair competition against European farmers. This imbalance threatens the income and weakens the economic viability of European farms.” It also related the issue of pesticides and growth hormones used in the South American countries that are banned in the EU.

Meanwhile, producer prices for conventional milk are in decline once again. The European Milk Board and its member organisations produced an open letter to the European Commissioner for Agriculture Christophe Hansen, calling on the European Commission to activate the voluntary production volume reduction scheme. As it noted, “European dairy farms already operate at the limits of economic viability. Another price collapse would endanger a producer base that is already close to breaking point. The voluntary milk volume reduction scheme was created precisely for this situation. It is a market-stabilising crisis instrument designed to reduce market pressure early and stop price crashes before they become uncontrollable. This tool exists because the EU recognised it needed such a mechanism to prevent severe market crises. Now is the time to activate it.”

So there is a lot to deal with as we head into 2026, but together I think is the way forward. As a sector, we must remember that all links in the chain are as important as the other. Sometimes legislators and the public forget the very small percentage of people who produce all the food consumed, and the animals who work even on Christmas Day.

Meanwhile, in the UK, “Dairy farmers across the UK are being urged to seize a unique opportunity to shape the future of their industry as The Dairy Roadmap launches a nationwide survey on the biggest issues facing the sector – including economics, environment and long-term sustainability. The survey is now open and runs until 14 January, inviting dairy farmers to speak directly about what is working on farm, what isn’t and what is needed to keep UK dairy competitive and resilient.” Stakeholders in the industry outside of farmers are also invited to contribute. Your voice matters, no matter where you are on these isles.

It is available here: https://dairyroadmap.co.uk/have-your-say-on-the-future-of-uk-dairy/

And have a happy Christmas. See you all in 2026.

• Suzanne Christiansen, editor, Dairy Industries International.
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