Romanian Agriculture Min Advises Milk Producers To Join Forces

“They should join forces. Many of the small milk producers, who own three or four cows, will not be able to stand out. They need to make joint investments that can make them stronger and allow them to speak out their mind,” the minister told a news conference on Thursday.

The ministry official said it is in the best interest of both producers and milk processing companies to draw up a long and medium term strategy for the sector.

Ciolos said processors wish to enjoy a stability regarding milk supply while producers aim selling their products.

The minister said that small milk producers should not delude themselves by thinking they can change anything by themselves. He added that if they wish to succeed they need to work together in order to improve the quality of the milk and lower production costs.

The minister said that starting 2009 producers and processors will have to comply to European regulations in the field.

Ciolos said that a meeting will take place on March 19 at the ministry’s headquarters gathering processors, producers and retailers in the milk industry.

On Tuesday, the Cattle Breeders Union in Romania (SCTR), affiliated to Agrostar, as well as the Cattle Breeders Federation in Romania set up protests against Bucharest-based milk-processing companies urging them to negotiate the increase in the raw milk price.
 
However, milk processors said prices for raw milk are set solely through negotiations between processors and suppliers, not together with the unions in the field.