Veiled by barbecue smoke, the atmosphere is good-natured this Thursday, February 15 in front of the Lactalis group factory, at the Europe roundabout, very close to Bayeux (Calvados).
The twenty or so farmers present in front of the site planted signs with the slogan “The Camembert that flows… the producers”, above a famous brand of French Camembert made by the manufacturer.
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We have seen stronger waves of agricultural mobilization in recent times but the demonstrators, at the call of the FDSEA and Young Farmers, intend to “keep up the pressure.
We give the administrations time to make proposals after the measures but we move during this time,” explains Philippe Marie, breeder member of the FDSEA of Bessin.
Last week, these farmers visited several stores in the city to inspect the origin of the products on the shelves.
“In charcuterie, for example, more than 50% of items are of foreign origin,” complains Philippe Marie.
In this context, these producers do not want to stick to the government's measures, which they consider incomplete: “On the Egalim Law and our remuneration, there are few answers.
The price of milk and meat must change to cover costs.”
Also read: Egalim Law: when the account is not there
Under contract with Lactalis, Jean-François noticed the decline, particularly at the end of last year.
This breeder from Bessin speaks of “a cash flow that is affected, while expenses have increased”.
“The collectors tell us that it will rise again but that is not enough.
» The breeders obtained a meeting with a factory manager, to extract a few snippets from a word from Lactalis which has dried up recently.
Government announcements have not calmed farmers' vigilance.
According to Jean-François, “the real decisions are taken at the European level and that is where it is more complicated.
The choices are not in favor of our French model.
» Institutions and industrialists will be expected to take action in the coming weeks.