Farmers block Ardo site: “We are putting everything together”
So farmers are still angry after yesterday’s day of action. They want fairer prices for their products.
“Block Until Tonight”
According to the activists, Ardo’s management does not want to “sit together until next year” to discuss the problem and they do not like that.
“If necessary, we will block the site until tonight, in rotations,” say the farmers. Meanwhile, a row of trucks is already lining up.
(read more below the photo)
“Fair prices in everyone’s interest”
“The message we are bringing has not changed,” said a spokesman for the agricultural sector. “The vegetable growers want fair prices for their products. The willingness to take action remains high. As long as negotiations are not resumed and there are no concrete results, actions will continue at the vegetable processing companies.
Fair prices for the grower are in everyone’s interest, also in the interest of the processing companies themselves. Everyone asks that the vegetables be grown in a sustainable way, and the greengrocers also want that. Much-needed and proven necessary price increases of 10 to 21%, depending on the cultivation, indicate that today we have to catch up. Only in this way can the supply of the fair and sustainable vegetables that everyone needs be assured today and in the future.
Fair prices are necessary to keep cultivation sustainable and to make it even more sustainable. Fair prices are also necessary to anchor the large employment that exists in the entire chain in Belgium.”
The retailer also has an interest in this. A better price for the primary producer will mean that their purchase price may increase a few cents. A few cents to guarantee the supply and future of locally grown frozen vegetables for the consumer. Fair trade also applies in Flanders, for the Flemish farmer.”