Why COAG hasn´t signed dairy sector agreement in Spain. Miguel Blanco

After a process of consultation with farmers from different producing areas, COAG has decided not to sign the Agreement for the sustainability of the value chain in the dairy sector because it does not guarantee at all remunerative price for farmers who at least cover the production costs.

The text signed a declaration of intent, general and vague, leaving the willingness of industries and distribution chains fulfilling commitments. A purely voluntary agreement does not give any legal certainty to producers. The repeated failure of previous agreements (Case PLS logo, Sustainable Dairy Products) makes us suspicious of the behavior of a significant proportion of industries and distribution chains.

COAG farmers believe it is absolutely essential that the agreement is accompanied by sufficient guarantees of compliance by the agents who have signed. This is possible only through its relationship with a system of penalties, (the agreement signed today does not collect), by which operators are obliged to fulfill those commitments they have voluntarily decided to take. For the sector is very important to know what forces the signing of the Agreement as well as what will happen in case of default, aspects that the current text does not collect.

We also believe that we have missed a great opportunity to include a definition of “milk type” (which should necessarily be agreed within the dairy interprofessional and validated by the Ministry itself) that prevents the changes unilaterally impose industries As for the quality characteristics of milk which are supplied and, in many cases, involve covert price decreases to farmers. This definition of “milk type” should take into account the territorial variability and collected in regulations to be drawn up for the purpose to regulate all matters relating to the Agreement.

In addition, COAG farmers obligation to promote the identification of the country of origin of the milk and milk products by industries and distribution companies as unequivocal gesture of commitment of companies to the sustainability of our industry estimate necessary producer, an issue that does it reflect the agreement.

However, the dairy sector of COAG shows its full readiness to continue to assist in the negotiation process towards a sustainable value chain. In fact, it has asked the Minister of Agriculture, Isabel García Tejerina, a specific meeting to analyze, define and propose modalities for direct aid for Spanish farmers and other measures to help improve the profitability of dairy farms.

Miguel Blanco Suaña, COAG general secretary. Spain