Dairy UK comments on Defra meeting
Commenting on the meeting convened on Monday by the British Secretary of State, Dr Judith Bryans, chief executive of Dairy UK, says:
“We had a constructive meeting with the Secretary of State, Agriculture Ministers from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and dairy farming representatives to discuss the taxing times facing the dairy industry and how the covernment can help the industry today and going forward.
“The current global crisis is well beyond the control of dairy farmers and processors and all ministers are aware that the whole industry is working in extremely difficult conditions.
“After an open exchange of views, it was agreed that transparency in origin labelling and improved branding were important for consumers to be able to choose British products as easily as possible. We were pleased to see that the government is progressing the agenda on public procurement and is keen to support the industry on exports. Dairy UK also renewed its call for the EU Commission to raise the intervention price as we believe this is an urgently needed measure to ease the pressure on the sector.
“In the long term, we need a collaborative approach throughout the supply chain to develop a toolbox to handle the impact of volatility which, as we know, is now an inherent part of the milk market.”
