German dairy farmers who took part in the blockade of Muller Milk’s giant Leppersdorf dairy in Saxony will have to pay compensation to the company’s daughter concern Sachsenmilch.

The farmers were protesting against low milk prices in June last year.

The full claim of €687,000, against a token group of participants by Sachsenmilch, has been made because the plant was unable to operate for a number of days. The full amount will not have to be paid, however, after judges urged both parties to agree a deal out of court. It has been suggested that the farmers pay 10% of the sum between them and formally undertake to hold no more demonstrations near the plant.