Milk, market and morals

The Swiss daily discusses the "milk strike" in a commentary: "The 'milk strike' recently called by a splinter group of farmers is first and foremost a ... media event. The impact of the action has been pretty modest so far. ... The strikers are hoping their initiative will turn the price of milk into a moral issue. ... But first of all their direct market partners, the milk processors, are also facing higher costs, and secondly the price of milk is not a moral issue. On the contrary, since the state stopped controlling the price it obeys the rules of the market. ... The price of milk in Switzerland remains considerably higher than in the rest of Europe. In view of the opening of borders this is a significant competitive disadvantage. Switzerland's agriculture must adjust itself to growing competition if it wants a future for its products. The present situation would thus be a good opportunity to continue reducing the difference in prices for Swiss and European milk for the sake of sustainable success on the market."

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