EU buildings attacked due to milk price fears
They were protesting that a planned sale of milk powder stocks would depress prices in Europe and abroad.
Reuters reported the demonstrators used farm machinery to cover the building and nearby police officers in a thick coat of the sticky, white powder.
The action by the European Milk Board, which represents about 100,000 producers in 16 countries, coincided with the monthly Council meeting of EU agriculture ministers. In a bid to stabilise the dairy market, the EU bought large quantities of skimmed milk powder but stated in November it would start disposing of some of the stock after prices had improved.
The protesting farmers said they feared putting the milk powder back onto the market would depress prices in the EU and abroad.
But the European Commission said only a small amount of the total milk powder stock of 354,000 tonnes was for sale and sales would be made without affecting market stability.
“Accusing the Commission of deliberately distorting the dairy market is tantamount to scaremongering,” a spokesperson said
