Empty shelves at SPAR without Lower Austrian NÖM milk? If those responsible at the retail giant have their way, consumers might have to get used to this sight.
On Friday last week, the Lower Austria milk cooperative, as a representative of around 2,000 NÖM dairy farmers, announced that the most recent price negotiations with SPAR had not produced any results and that a delivery stop of indefinite duration had therefore been initiated.
So far there has been no concession from SPAR in the conflict over the NÖM dairy farmers’ delivery stop. The group continues to refuse to make any necessary adjustments to purchase prices.
Legal steps are being examined
“Our dairy farmers deliver the highest quality and do great work 365 days a year! “That absolutely deserves more appreciation,” said Johannes Schmuckenschlager, President of the Lower Austrian Chamber of Agriculture and Farmers’ Association member in the National Council, in solidarity.
The Lower Austrian Farmers’ Association supports dairy farmers in this difficult situation. Lower Austrian Farmers’ Association director Paul Nemecek is currently examining possible legal steps in the interests of local NÖM dairy farmers. “Our legal experts are currently examining this case at full speed,” said Nemecek about the current development.
The retail giant SPAR, which holds around a third of the market share in Austria, is currently showing little willingness to accommodate dairy farmers – at a time when not only are production costs rising, but the pressure to meet higher animal welfare standards is also growing.
“Preserve sustainable structures and regional family businesses”
“The approximately 2,000 NÖM dairy farmers in Lower Austria deserve our full solidarity and support. We also call on all consumers to continue to rely on NÖM products and thus support the best Lower Austrian quality,” explains Nemecek.
NÖM products, and thus Lower Austrian milk, are still available in supermarkets such as Billa, Billa-Plus, Penny, Lidl and Hofer.
The milk delivery cooperative, which represents around 2,000 Lower Austrian dairy farmers, also emphasizes the need to stop deliveries in order to point out the importance of fair prices for the future of farms. Managing director Leopold Gruber-Doberer makes it clear: “Delivery stops are unavoidable in order to show that fairness must be ensured in the performance and investments of our companies. This is the only way we can sustainably secure and maintain our structure of regional family businesses in Austria.”