Bundesverband Deutscher Milchviehhalter

The Bundesverband Deutscher Milchviehhalter e.V. (BDM) is a German trade association representing the interests of active, future-oriented dairy farmers. Founded on 1 January 1998, it describes itself as a specialist association of dairy farmers for dairy farmers, with the guiding principle 'In Sachen Milch die Nase vorn!' ('A nose ahead when it comes to milk'). The BDM advocates for economically sustainable, socially and environmentally compatible, diverse dairy farming for the benefit of all. Its core demand is a milk price that covers the full costs of production, enabling farmers to earn their income through their work and product without existential dependence on state subsidies. Public funds, in its view, should instead be used purposefully to promote ambitious goals in nature conservation, climate protection, animal welfare and biodiversity. The association is independent of upstream and downstream industry interests and of party-political interests. It is a member of the European Milk Board, which represents milk producer organisations from 16 European countries. The BDM publishes positions on topics such as the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), genetic engineering, animal welfare, wolf management, glyphosate, photovoltaic systems on open land, and Article 148 GMO. It also runs a journalist prize 'Faire Milch' and publishes a member magazine, 'BDM aktuell'. Membership peaked at around 34,000 in 2008, out of roughly 100,000 German dairy farmers at the time. By 2014 the BDM represented about 20,000 members, and by 2018 about 16,000 active milk producers were organised in it. Although the absolute number declined, the proportion of BDM members among German dairy farmers rose. The founding chairman was Romuald Schaber, who led the association from 1998 to 2018; Stefan Mann took over the federal chairmanship in spring 2018. The BDM gained national prominence through its 2008 milk delivery boycott, which was ruled by the Federal Court of Justice to violate the boycott prohibition of the Act against Restraints of Competition. It also launched the 'Die faire Milch' marketing initiative and continues to campaign for a flexible volume management system in the hands of milk producers, in coordination with the dairy industry, as well as a European crisis instrument within the EU safety net for the milk market.

The Bundesverband Deutscher Milchviehhalter e.V. (BDM) was founded on 1 January 1998 as an association of active dairy farmers. Its founding chairman was Romuald Schaber, who led the organisation until 2018. The association emerged from the need for dairy farmers to have an independent voice focused exclusively on their interests, separate from general agricultural lobbying. In 2003, a sister organisation was founded in northern Germany, initiated by several large farms in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. In 2005, the two associations merged, and in the subsequent period, driven by the difficult situation of dairy farmers, the BDM experienced rapid membership growth. By 2008, the BDM represented approximately 34,000 of the roughly 100,000 German dairy farmers. A central goal of the BDM has been the enforcement of a cost-covering milk price. To build negotiating pressure on dairies, the BDM planned a nationwide milk delivery stop originally for October 2007, demanding a price of 43 cents per kg. This stop was not carried out because milk prices temporarily exceeded 40 cents per kg in autumn 2007. According to the BDM, this was mainly the success of the Germany-wide milk volume bundling initiated by the association. After a sharp price decline in spring 2008, triggered by the dairy Alois Müller, the BDM called its members and all dairy farmers to an indefinite milk delivery boycott starting 26 May 2008. The boycott was lifted on 6 June 2008, and dairies were supplied with milk again. The price reduction announced before the milk strike was delayed by several months but eventually implemented. The BDM's call for a milk delivery stop was ruled by the Federal Court of Justice on 9 September 2008 to violate the boycott prohibition of § 21 Abs. 1 GWB (Act against Restraints of Competition). The court argued that the BDM, as an association of entrepreneurs, had called on other entrepreneurs (dairy farmers) to impose a delivery blockade against dairies. The necessary intent of unfair hindrance consisted in the association massively interfering with the dairies' competitive freedom of action to enforce prices that the market did not support. The law against restraints of competition aims to preserve free competition, and even non-cost-covering prices are therefore protected. The then-president of the German Farmers' Association, Gerd Sonnleitner, also criticised the 2008 delivery boycott and other protest actions by the BDM against falling milk prices. In the following years, the BDM continued to advocate for a milk producer price covering full costs, which in its view should be at least 50 cents. It also called for flexible volume management in the hands of milk producers in coordination with the dairy industry. As a further project to achieve a better milk price for farmers, the BDM launched the milk marketing company Süd mbH (MVS) 'Die faire Milch'. Since the end of 2012, 'Die faire Milch' was offered only by a few retailers and farm shops; there were legal disputes between the BDM and MVS because the price of 40 cents was not reached. These disputes ended in 2017. Marketing has since been taken over by a separate company. The association criticised the exit from the European milk quota system on 1 April 2015 and warned of another collapse in milk producer prices. Together with the European umbrella organisation European Milk Board, it demands the introduction of a European crisis instrument to be activated in the event of another milk crisis. Since the 79th International Green Week in Berlin in 2014, the BDM has awarded the 'Faire Milch' journalist prize as part of its annual symposium. The prize is awarded in various categories with a total endowment of 5,000 euros. The BDM is a member of the European Milk Board, which represents milk producer associations from 16 European countries. In spring 2018, Stefan Mann took over the federal chairmanship from Romuald Schaber. By 2018, about 16,000 active milk producers were organised in the BDM, down from 20,000 in 2014, but the proportion of BDM members among German dairy farmers had risen. The association continues its advocacy through actions, press releases, and events, such as the 2026 actions at the Agricultural Ministers' Conference in Würzburg and Bad Reichenhall, and the World Milk Day 2026.

• BDM founded as an association of active dairy farmers; Romuald Schaber becomes chairman.

• A sister organisation is founded in northern Germany, initiated by large farms in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

• The two associations merge, leading to rapid membership growth.

• Planned nationwide milk delivery stop for October is not carried out as prices temporarily exceed 40 cents/kg.

• BDM calls an indefinite milk delivery boycott.

• Milk boycott lifted; dairies supplied again.

• Federal Court of Justice rules the BDM's boycott call violated § 21 Abs. 1 GWB.

• BDM represents about 34,000 of roughly 100,000 German dairy farmers.

• By end of 2012, 'Die faire Milch' is offered only by a few retailers and farm shops; legal disputes arise.

• BDM represents about 20,000 members; first 'Faire Milch' journalist prize awarded at the 79th International Green Week.

• BDM criticises the exit from the European milk quota system.

• Legal disputes between BDM and MVS over 'Die faire Milch' end; marketing taken over by a separate company.

• Stefan Mann becomes federal chairman; about 16,000 active milk producers organised in BDM.

Independent specialist association of active dairy farmers advocating for cost-covering milk prices and fair market conditions.

• Milchstreik 2008
• Die faire Milch
• Journalistenpreis 'Faire Milch'

1. 1Startseite - bdm-verband.orgbdm-verband.de
2. 2Über uns - bdm-verband.orgbdm-verband.de
3. 3Galerie - bdm-verband.orgbdm-verband.de
4. 4Standpunkte - bdm-verband.orgbdm-verband.de
5. 5Bundesverband Deutscher Milchviehhalterde.wikipedia.org
6. 6Bundesverband Deutscher Milchviehhalterwikidata.org