The Democratic Party asks to see clearly. The American group Lactalis, which acquired 100% of Parmalat last July, has not yet presented an industrial plan, when in the legal prospectus connected to the takeover bid "it clearly manifested the desire for Parmalat to transform itself into the European milk giant". As the deputies of the Democratic Party (PD) Gianluca Benamati and Carmen Motta, together with their colleagues Tullo, Rossa, Duilio and Ventura have asked the Minister for Economic Development Corrado Passera for more details through an urgent interpellation with the Chamber of Deputies.
The interpellation focuses on the organizational aspects of the Group and on the financial transactions involving the Collecchio company inpurchase of the American subsidiary of Lactalis, an intra-group transaction for which Consob just a few days ago sent the Parma prosecutor's office a technical note regarding the most controversial aspects of the affair.
The deputies of the Democratic Party recall that "it is not clear what the industrial project of Lactalis is for Parmalat". Even the trade unions "expressed concern". The American company appears to be “disregarding its commitments to develop Parmalat through the growth of its business areas: in fact, the industrial plan recently presented to the trade union organizations seems to be more characterized by significant contractions in activity and cuts in development proposals”. On the other hand, at the time of the acquisition, Lactalis had clearly expressed its desire for Parmalat to transform itself into the possible target European milk giant through strategic sector development.
“Instead, just these days Parmalat's top management has decided to dismiss the Genoa plant” despite the commitments made at the time with the local administrations and the social partners. In the Ligurian factory 63 workers are currently employed, to which are added the employees of the Casoria cooperative and over 150 farmers who deliver the milk to the plant. "Similar problems", underline the interpellants, "would also concern the Pavia and Como plants, while in Collecchio 30 workers would be considered redundant and a major reorganization would be expected by the end of the year".
At Piazza Affari, Parmalat shares gained 0,70% to 1,726 euros per share.
