A deluge of figures, graphs and curves: this Tuesday, Emmanuel Commault, the general director of Cooperl, and Bernard Rouxel, the president, had a mission: to prove that the breeders, members of the main pig cooperative in France, are better off than others. Three days before a general meeting which promises to be explosive, the two strong men of the Breton pig giant – 7,400 employees, 2.9 billion euros in turnover in 2023 and 5.2 million pigs produced – spoke for two hours during the traditional annual press conference.
Their main message: contrary to the announcements made by their opponents, “the average price paid by slaughterhouses to Cooperl members is 3 cents/kg higher than other pig farmers over the last five years”. Over the same period, the findings displayed are also favorable regarding the gross margin per sow and the price of the feed.
300 fewer employees in 2023
Another asset highlighted is the good financial health of the cooperative. Despite cost increases of €559 million in 2022 and 2023 – “largely linked to the increase in the price paid to breeders” – the Lamballais group and its 88 companies announce an overall surplus result of more than €16 million. This is thanks to a significant drop in workforce (300 fewer employees), the upcoming sale of two factories, a drop in investment, but negotiations with buyers having made it possible to pass on part of the increase in costs in prices. .
Why such a demonstration? Because the management of Cooperl is today contested by 308 member breeders. United within the group The new cooperators, they denounce both the opacity of governance and its strategy, while criticizing the too low prices paid to producers this year.
Revocation of the board of directors not on the agenda
For several weeks, protesters have been demanding a vote on the revocation of the board of directors this Friday during the cooperative’s annual general meeting. However, according to Emmanuel Commault and Bernard Rouxel, this vote will not take place.
Opponents of the management thought, in fact, to represent 10% of the members (which would have allowed them to request revocation). Wrongly according to the management of Cooperl. “Until now, we publicly announced the figure of 3,000 members. These are the producers with whom we work regularly. But, in reality, we have 4,660 breeders registered on our register. We had it noted by a bailiff,” announces Bernard Rouxel.
This Friday, the board of directors cannot therefore be overthrown, since only a third of its members will be renewed, in accordance with the statutes of Cooperl. In total, 14 positions are to be filled. Each camp will present its candidates, after speaking for an hour to the members present.
