The number of slaughterhouses across France blocked by several hundreds of protesting beef farmers increased to 17 today (16 June) ahead of talks with the Ministry of Agriculture tomorrow.
The farmers are demanding an increase in prices of EUR0.60 per kilo to EUR4 per kilo.
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The action, which has entered its third day, is being led by France's biggest farmers union, the FNSEA, which claims the slaughterhouses in question represent the equivalent of more than one half of France's beef processing capacity.
Contacted by just-food, Bigard, self-proclaimed 'European leader in the beef sector" declined to comment on the dispute or the blockades that are affecting some of the slaughterhouses operated by subsidiary Socopa Viandes.
Another beef farmers trade body, the FNB, insisted many of its members will go out of business in the coming months if prices remain at current levels.
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Speaking on France Info radio, FNB president, Jean-Pierre Fleury, said: "Beef farmers have their backs to the wall. These blockades must be taken very seriously."
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By GlobalDataHowever, one staff union representing meat processing workers, the FGTA-FO, said its members were "being held hostage to events and deprived of doing their jobs". It called on employers to sit down with producers and work out an agreement.
The FNSEA has warned the lifting the blockades will depend on the outcome of tomorrow's negotiations with the government.
