Most of the closures that occurred since 2000 were due to the infeasibility of small family farms. Over ten thousand farms that remain are now facing severe liquidity problems.

This month, farmers were paid for milk an average price of 0.285 euros per liter, between two and three cents less than the state average and a value less than 2001, before the introduction of the euro.

Analyzing the evolution of farms in the last decade shows that there are steep drops in years of lesser crisis. This is explained by the natural process of converting small family farms and also the crisis of urban unemployment. "There are young unemployed men in the city returning to the farm, farms that are being kept for subsistence," explains Javier Iglesias, a spokesman for livestock Agricultural Unions.