They fight for a higher milk price: SOS! Hundreds of farmers are calling for help

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SOS! Hundreds of farmers gathered in several communities in western and German-speaking Switzerland on Thursday evening to appeal for help with their tractors.

Larger meetings took place mainly in Echallens VD, Boudevilliers NE, Perly-Certoux GE, Lussy FR, Saignelégier JU and Reconvilier BE. But there were also protests in German-speaking Switzerland: smaller demonstrations took place in Gossau SG, Weiningen TG and Amriswil TG, among others.

Farmers want more money

The protests of global farmers spread to Switzerland a few weeks ago, especially French-speaking Switzerland. So far they have all been peaceful.

“The aim is to put pressure on the prices of our products,” says Arnaud Rochat, a farmer from Bavois VD and co-initiator of the farmers’ protests. “The farmers demand valuable prices in the long term so that our profession is viable. We want to be paid for what we produce, at prices that take our costs into account. It’s still a problem when milk is cheaper than bottled water.”

The aim is also for people to better perceive and understand farmers. The “agricultural uprising” is an opportunity to “give hope to a new, motivated young generation of farmers and secure a happy future,” Rochat said.

Fight for higher milk prices

The protest farmers have already achieved their first success: because pressure on politicians is particularly high in western Switzerland, the National Council this week scuttled new regulations for organic areas in fields.

With Thursday’s joint protests, farmers tried to fight for a higher milk price. The sector will negotiate the target milk price for the second quarter on Friday. The farmers are demanding more money, but it is unlikely they will get it.

The Zurich farmers’ association has therefore announced further protest actions for Friday. So-called memorial marches take place in Affoltern am Albis, Bülach and Hinwil. (lha/SDA)

Source:Blick