The coronavirus pandemic appears to have strengthened national sentiments. Campaigns, broad social co-operations and government measures are all designed to encourage people across the globe to buy domestic food, thus helping local farmers and the economy to recover. In a new series of articles, V4NA has summarised the measures European countries are taking to protect their producers.

Not only did the global coronavirus pandemic generate a health emergency, but is has also triggered an economic crisis in almost every country. Production was suspended for weeks and a large number of workers have lost their jobs. While some employees have received state support, many were not so fortunate and, in some cases, their mere livelihoods are at stake. Without swift action by governments, they are likely to go bankrupt soon. However, in order to avoid that, a growing number of European countries have launched campaigns to promote the consumption of domestic products in an attempt to save their producers and small companies. V4NA looked at public and government measures introduced in a number of countries with a view to saving their respective food industries.

France: Consumption of cheese is a civic duty to help the economy

Cheese consumption in France has declined by a staggering 60 per cent since the beginning of the lockdown in mid-March with production drawing to a halt in nearly every second cheese factory. Michel Lacoste, president of the French dairy protection organisation CNAOL, said although some 2,000 tonnes of cheese should have been sold in April, the actual figure is only a quarter of that. 1,500 tonnes are still in the warehouses and supplies will spoil if they are not sold quickly. To avoid bankruptcy, dairy farmers are trying to adapt to the situation and place the emphasis on butter, cream and milk which sell better. CNIEL, the French dairy industry council, has launched a campaign called „fromagissons” (coined from the noun „fromage,” which means cheese) basically encouraging people to do something for the sector and eat cheese.

Daniel Lacombe, president of French dairy giant Sodiaal, which produces 60 thousand tonnes of AOP cheese (meaning PDO, or Protected Designation of Origin) each year, said the situation was critical and only a rapid recovery in consumption could bring improvement. The campaign was joined by many companies, and employees at Tecnal SAS – the maker of specialised equipment for cheese producers and the dairy industry – have also made a promotional video to boost cheese sales.

Britain: Save British cheese!

Although Britain is not primarily known for cheese, the country has some characteristic types (Stilton, Cheddar) thrust into harm s way by the novel coronavirus crisis. This is why they have announced an online festival in Britain called „Save British Cheese”. The event was held over the long weekend from 8 to 10 May (this year, 8 May is the early May bank holiday in England). It featured various virtual lectures broadcast on the festival s website, where viewers also had a chance to place online orders for the delicacies.

Italy: what happens to Parmesan?

The iconic product of the Italians, the famous Parmesan cheese, is also in peril. It is produced in the Emilia Romagna region, which was hit particularly hard by the pandemic. According to data from April, 12 per cent of infections were registered here, having an exceptionally negative effect on the production of Parmesan. Nicola Bertinelli, president of the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium, said the area had 335 small dairies and 2,860 small companies, all run by families. If only one person in the family becomes ill, everyone they contact will have to go in quarantine. At least the basic ingredients of parmesan, milk and salt, are still available, so the biggest enemy of cheese producers in Italy is the virus itself.