Chief Executive of the Dairy Industry Assocation in Germany (MIV), Eckhard Heuser, has denounced the protests which saw French farmers block imports into the country in the last few days.

"In a functioning internal market everyone has benefits," he said.

He went on to say that the tradition of goods blockades has in the past been shown to have little effect. "Germany is one of the largest buyers of French dairy products. The blockages of the farmers at the border crossing points are incomprehensible."

French farmers have been protesting against falling prices and cheap imports since mid-July. And despite the French government responding with the introduction of multiple tax breaks and deferments for livestock producers, as well as €500m in bank loan guarantees for struggling meat processors, actions continued this week, including pickets along the German border.

On Monday MIV asked the European Commission for help on the issue and said decisions taken and led by a French minister that are equivalent to a trade boycott of German goods calls the principles of Europe into question.

"We see the agreements as anti-competitive and have asked the European Commission for help today," said the association. "With all due understanding of the frustration of farmers over low producer prices, anti-competitive measures may not be the drug of choice."

MIV represents about 100 high-performance, mid-sized companies in the German milk and dairy industry. These represent an annual turnover of more than €26 billion and represents the largest area of the German food industry.

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