Wednesday, 20 March 2024 11:25

Papal visit

Written by  Milking It

OPINION: European farmers are going to extreme lengths to have their message heard.

As part of the protests that have erupted in many other European countries, hundreds of farmers and their tractors have gathered on the outskirts of Rome. They demand fair prices for their products, the continuation of the reduction of taxes on agricultural diesel, stricter controls on imports, a reduction in bureaucracy, as well as other concessions.

Media reports say a cow was among thousands of the faithful and tourists in St Peter's Square in the Vatican on Sunday to attend the traditional Angelus prayer of Pope Francis.

The cow, 'Ercolina', which has become one of the symbols of the protest in Italy, was led along Via della Concilliazlone and then arrived in the piazza to be milked, to the amazement of those waiting for the Pope to appear at the window of his study.

"I hand wrote a letter to Pope Francis asking if we could come to the Angelus to have the cow blessed," breeder Pietro Tavazzani said. The Pope agreed.

More like this

It's all about economics

OPINION: According to media reports, the eye-watering price of butter has prompted Finance Minister Nicola Willis to ask for a 'please explain' from her former employer Fonterra.

Red line on dairy

OPINION: As India negotiates to open its borders to more global products, dairy is proving a sticky issue.

Farmland security

OPINION: Paranoia about foreigners is at an all-time high in the US and attention is now turning to foreign-owned farmland.

Cuddling cows

OPINION: Years of floods and low food prices have driven a dairy farm in England's northeast to stop milking its cows and instead charge visitors to cuddle them.

Featured

$52,500 fine for effluent mismanagement

A Taupiri farming company has been convicted and fined $52,500 in the Hamilton District Court for the unlawful discharge of dairy effluent into the environment.

Ospri brings Bovine TB testing in-house

The move to bring bovine TB testing in-house at Ospri officially started this month, as a team of 37 skilled and experienced technicians begin work with the disease eradication agency.

National

Machinery & Products

Fliegl offers effluent solutions

Founded in Germany as recently as 1977, today, the Fliegl Group employs more than 1100 workers, offering an expansive range…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

It's all about economics

OPINION: According to media reports, the eye-watering price of butter has prompted Finance Minister Nicola Willis to ask for a…

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter