Greeks say no to milk bilk

In protest against rising prices and the high cost of dairy products in particular Greek consumer groups are calling for week long boycott of any brand of fresh milk costing more than one euro until 19th June. In a press conference the Greek Federation of Consumer Organisations presented evidence showing that Greek consumers pay 45% more for milk than other Europeans and that by the time the milk hits shops shelves it costs three times the price paid to producers.

Despite government claims that rising food prices in Greece are part of a world wide phenomenon many ordinary people and consumer protection groups point to the cartels that control much of basic food stuffs and stifle competition at the expense of  shoppers.With inflation at its highests in a decade and wages stagnant the conservative New Democracy administration is coming under growing pressure to take measure to curb price hikes which have reached, in some cases12% since the beginning of the year.

However, the willingness and ability of embattled the New Democracy government to achieve any meaningful progress in the fight against inflation is under doubt. Only last year the state run competition commission found itself embroiled in scandal after president, Panayiotis Adamopoulos, along with two accomplices, were arrested and charged with blackmail. It was alleged that a bribe of 2.5 million euros had been demanded from the Mevgal diary company in order to avoid being fined 25 miilion euros.