The Lactalis site has been blocked by farmers camping since Monday night on its main access road junction, which they have renamed the “roundabout of dairy shame”.

Lactalis is one of the world’s largest dairy processors, collecting 15bn litres of milk annually.

In an open letter to Lactalis chair Emmanuel Besnier, who controls the privately-held, family-owned company, the president of the young farmers’ union JA said: “By collecting 20% of France’s milk and pulling prices down, Lactalis serves as an excuse for all its competitors to justify all kinds of cuts, dragging prices further.”

Lactalis currently pays 24.8c/l. Company spokesman Michel Nalet told French media on Tuesday that Lactalis was “open to talks”. Negotiations are scheduled to take place in Paris on Thursday.

Until then, French farmers have vowed to keep pickets in place on the “roundabout of dairy shame”.

UK protests

Meanwhile, similar blockades have been reported at processing plants owned by German-based Müller in Britain over the past two weeks.

UK farm organisations have criticised Müller for keeping prices low while other processors have increased prices recently.

The Farmers for Action group took its stance one step further with targeted blockades at several processing plants.

Full coverage: milk prices

French farmers picket leading milk processor

Hundreds of farmers have blockaded the headquarters and processing plant of dairy giant Lactalis in Laval, western France, in protest at low milk prices.