A number of professionals from the dairy industry met with Minister of Agriculture Romain Schneider on Friday to mark International Milk Day. Representatives of Luxembourg's dairy union, LVM (Lëtzebuerger Verband fir Molkereifachleit a Mëllechwirtschaftler) held a presentation, extolling the virtues of milk as a high quality and healthy Luxembourg product. The meeting's attendees also discussed their plans for the future of Luxembourg's dairy farmers.
Jos Schiltz, LVM's president, suggested that farmers focus on producing more niche products that aren't available in other EU countries. On a European level, they needed to look at training and formation, while also taking into account the region's needs. Schiltz said dairy schools could introduce new courses, focusing on digitalisation which could be used for production. Schneider agreed that support was needed to encourage young farmers, as well as newcomers to the industry.
A large portion of agricultural politics is decided on an EU level, and Schneider said he would push for a strong basic income in the next European legislative period.
The majority of Luxembourg milk is currently exported, partially in powder form. The EU exports dried milk to countries such as Algeria and Egypt.
European agricultural politics is often criticised for its impact on other markets. Through the subsidisation of European agricultural products, these are able to sold fairly cheaply in some African countries. The Minister of Agriculture said this was a question of development help, pointing out the market needs to increase in these countries. He said EU countries are able to share know how, to encourage other countries to work on their own milk production. However, critics say that the development of the agricultural sector in many African countries is halted by the export of European products.
On Saturday, LVM will hold a manifestation in Place Guillaume II to mark International Milk Day.
Video in Luxembourgish
