The torch still burns

This summer has been a roller coaster ride for those of us in the UK. First, the deluge that seemed to never end. When summer did show up, it was just in time for the Olympics and Paralympics. I think those two events alone showed that the British can do anything they put their minds to, never mind all the medals collected and the endless supply of cheerful Games makers. The logistics were staggering, the nay-sayers populous. But still, late July, August and early September were magical months as conventional wisdom was turned on its head.

The summer started out so full of distress for all concerned, particularly those of us in the dairy industry. Farmers were blockading depots and converging anxiously in Westminster Hall. Dairy processors were under siege. Now, we have a voluntary code hammered out amongst the farmers’ unions and the dairy processors, after much wrangling. It is a good thing and I can’t help but feel relieved by it.

Jim Begg of Dairy UK warns that it’s up to the companies and farmers to make good on it all via their contracts, and give the industry the transparency and flexibility it needs to survive and thrive. He also notes that dairy companies have already begun putting it into practice. See page 16 for our report on the Dairy UK Conference in Birmingham.

He is no doubt being the voice of caution, but I keep thinking, hey, this is the country that pulled off the hosting of two of the most successful international events of modern times – the Olympics and Paralympics. We can do it, all of us. I even have my pink foam finger to point the way.