European farmers in Riga discuss the survival of the dairy industry and organic farming

From 1 to 3 June this year, the Presidium meeting of the European farmers' organization COPA-COGECA was held in Riga, attended by more than 100 farmers from all over the European Union (EU). COPA-COGECA is the largest professional farmers' organization in Europe, uniting more than 76 organizations from 26 EU member states. The most important topics discussed were the difficult situation of the dairy industry, possible solutions and the future development of the organic farming sector. The heads of the farmers' organizations were also addressed by the Prime Minister of Latvia, Laimdota Straujuma.
During the meeting with farmers, Prime Minister Laimdota Straujuma called on COPA-COGECA farmers to provide proposals on improving the situation in EU agriculture. The Prime Minister pointed out that currently in Europe, approximately 50% of all regulatory acts are in the agricultural sector, therefore she called on COPA-COGECA to task scientists with developing proposals to reduce bureaucracy. This would help save costs and promote the competitiveness of European farmers, noting that “only business can stop the snowball of bureaucracy.” Speaking about the so-called Juncker Investment Plan, L.Straujuma pointed out the possibility for member states, in cooperation with national development finance institutions, to create special platforms in order to be able to attract financial resources in this way.
COPA President Albert Jans Mats (Albert Jan Maat) pointed out that dairy farmers are currently in a very difficult situation throughout the EU, but especially in the Baltics and Finland. He pointed out that the sector could lose as much as EUR 600-700 million due to exceeding milk quotas, but this money should return to it in the near future. AJMaats: “These can be investments, support for less-favoured areas, promotion (including external) and quality schemes. In the long term, the fight against the enormous instability remains the main challenge for dairy farmers that they will face in the future. Today, the only instrument to protect farmers' income remains a safety net. In order to develop a dynamic dairy sector, it is necessary to create instruments that are both flexible and effective. Undoubtedly, exports will be the main driving force of the EU dairy sector, and in this situation we are in a good position, also in the context of the free trade agreement. In order for the opportunities to be fully exploited, exports must go hand in hand with promotion campaigns.”
Meanwhile, COGECA President Christian Pez (Christian Pèes) underlined that it is precisely dairy cooperatives that can strengthen producers' positions in the market. “In the post-quota era, it is more important than ever for producers to unite in cooperatives to improve their market position, allowing them to receive a better price for their milk. The milk supply chain also needs to function properly and fairly. Dairy cooperatives currently play and will continue to play an important role in helping farmers cope with risks.
AJ Māts: “I appreciate the development of organic production in Latvia, but there is still a lack of data on the development of organic farming and its markets at the European level. I am pleased that the Member States have decided on support mechanisms for organic farming as part of rural development programmes. The commitment of the Member States is a prerequisite for the further development of the sector. I am also pleased with the work done by the Latvian Presidency to have the EC (European Commission) review the EU organic farming legislation. The new laws should allow 250,000 organic farmers to earn a living from their occupation and also involve new farmers in the sector, while also ensuring consumer trust and confidence. We need an evolution of laws, not a revolution.”
K.Pēzs: "The creation of a single European organic logo to increase the value of organic production is to be viewed positively. And both the internal market and imported organic products would benefit from it. Therefore, it is important to ensure that imported products meet production and control standards that are at least as strict as those applied to organic farming in the EU. Huge retail chains make a lot of profit from organic products. But the high prices paid for organic products in these stores do not always reach the producer. In fact, the production sector is very fragmented and lacks the strength to sell its products. The sector should be encouraged to create and develop cooperatives and other producer organizations."
COPA-COGECA Vice-President Maira Dzelzkalēja: “I would like to say a big thank you to our European colleagues for the solidarity in solving the milk problems, which we have been receiving since the autumn. Since the situation in the dairy sector in the Baltics and Scandinavia still remains dramatic, we must constantly look for new solutions. We need support from the EU until the price of milk stabilizes in the world and our processors find new outlets. Mutual solidarity, as well as understanding and support from the processing and trading sector, are equally important for farmers. Otherwise, processors and traders risk losing such an important local supplier.”
The COPA-COGECA Presidium meeting in Riga was organized by all five member organizations – the Latvian Association of Agricultural Cooperatives (LLKA), the Cooperation Council of Farmers’ Organizations (LOSP), the Association “Farmers’ Saeima” (ZSA), the Latvian Farmers’ Federation (LZF) and the Latvian Association of Statutory Societies (LSA) in cooperation with the State Rural Network and the Latvian Rural Consulting and Education Center. We would like to thank the following companies for their financial and technical support:
CLAAS, VAKS, Konekesko, LATRAPS, Tērvete, EU2015, ROOT, Latvian Steakhouse, LLKC-VLT-NAP-ES, 36.līnija, Safari Parks, Straupe, Green OK, Herkuless, RIMI, MAXIMA, Narvessen and LVB.