Facing a decline in dairy production in the Cantal department, local farming unions FDSEA and JA are working to bring the entire sector back to the table. Their goal is to restore value to Cantal milk and secure the future of the region's dairy producers. On October 15th, these organizations have scheduled a meeting known as the Departmental Dairy Assembly, where they will present a detailed roadmap to address the challenges the sector faces. This approach is considered unique at both the regional and national levels, and its success depends on the cooperation of downstream industries and the approval of the French government. The roadmap is structured around four key areas, each with specific themes, actions, and deadlines, as outlined by Valentin Delbos, a dairy farmer and president of the Cantal Young Farmers. The first axis focuses on improving the economic performance of production and transformation. Valentin Delbos emphasizes the need to value Cantal milk at its true worth, beyond its cost price, whether it is organic, AOP (Appellation d'Origine Protégée), or conventional. The plan includes implementing the Egalim law, which aims to ensure fair pricing for agricultural products. Priority actions involve establishing a quality grid for AOP milk by 2031, with criteria related to cheese-making. The proposal also includes creating a "mountain milk" Cantal brand, leveraging the region's mountainous terrain and unique breeding practices. This would help distinguish Cantal milk from conventional products and highlight the higher production costs in the region. Transparency is another key concern, especially for AOP sectors. Valentin Delbos calls for an observatory to track volumes, prices, outlets, and the use of by-products, which he believes is essential to rebuild trust with the industry. He also highlights the need to increase the transformation rate of AOP milk, currently at 38%, aiming to reach 100% as a sector goal. To support this, the unions are advocating for European aid to address the specific challenges of mountain dairy farming and the restoration of subsidies for mountain dairy cows. They also request a tax system that facilitates hiring in this labor-intensive sector and a depreciation measure for livestock, similar to that in beef farming, to help manage aging dairy cows. The second axis focuses on the renewal of generations and the attractiveness of jobs in the sector. FDSEA and JA aim to achieve a "one for one" balance by 2040, ensuring that each departure from the sector is matched by a new entrant. This involves creating a dairy DJA (Diplôme de Jeunes Agriculteurs) in Cantal, offering a milk bonus, and maintaining the interprofessional future check. The unions also emphasize the need for modernizing dairy farms to reduce workload and improve workplace ergonomics, addressing the physical strains of repetitive tasks like milking. The third axis focuses on environmental and climate sustainability, a challenge exacerbated by the summer of 2026. Priority areas include securing water supply through storage in hillside reservoirs, water recycling systems, and drilling to access underground sources. The unions also call for more attractive prices for electricity generated by photovoltaic panels on agricultural buildings. Modernizing existing farm structures with tools like air conditioners and misters is seen as essential to protect dairy cows from extreme weather conditions. Valentin Delbos concludes by emphasizing the need for a long-term vision to reconnect producers with the industry and ensure the future of Cantal's dairy sector.