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French dairy farmers protest against low prices

Published: Monday 25 May 2009 11:40 UTC
Last updated: Monday 25 May 2009 12:07 UTC
French dairy farmers are holding their second national day of action in a week. The farmers' union has blockaded FNSEA dairies in 20 French departments. Since March, milk prices have fallen 30 percent. The union wants to put pressure on the European agriculture ministers.

The ministers are meeting to discuss the dairy market in Germany and France. The French agriculture minister, Michel Barnier, wants the EU to guarantee a stable price by limiting production. When there is a surplus of milk, the price drops under production cost levels.