About 200 angry protesters today occupied the headquarters of multinational dairy company Lactalis in Laval, western Franceclaiming better earnings for livestock farmers, an AFP journalist reported.
With the help of two tractors, the protesters rushed to the entrance of the facilities of the agro-industrial giant and invaded the reception area, which they covered with stickers writing critical slogans.
“Lactalis, is the number one dairy company in the world that cannot pay its producers properlyLaurents Marandola, spokesperson for the Confédération paysanne trade union, which called for the mobilization, told reporters.
“Lactalis is the global emblem of companies that feed on our work, on the prices of our products and the work of our farmers“, he added.
“There are so many profits that are not going to the producers and breeders, this is an absolute scandalMarandola also said, accusing Lactalis of “retaliating” against farmers who protest the group's methods by refusing to take their milk.
Asked about the new government announcements in favor of farmers, Marandola said that the promised law that will guarantee farmers an income that takes into account production costs cannot wait.
“The priority of priorities cannot wait for the summer”he emphasized.
Despite the French government's pledges, notably backing away from measuring the reduction in pesticide use, French farmers are keeping up the pressure, echoing the anger of protesting farmers in other European countries.
Protesters blocked roads in southwestern France and threw manure on roads between Azan and Montauban.
With a turnover of more than 28 billion euros in 2022, Lactalis dethroned another giant, Danone, as the largest French company in the agri-food sector and entered the top 10 companies worldwide in the sector.
Owned since 1933 by the Besnier family, the group has 270 production plants in 51 countries and 85,000 employees. Its products are sold in 150 countries.
Source: News Beast
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