A panel to speak of at Dairy UK’s Annual Dinner

Amid the lights and camaraderie of the annual dinner hosted by Dairy UK at the Landmark Hotel in London in September, the group took time to provide a panel discussion on current events as well as to celebrate the year’s achievements. The dinner brought together more than 160 representatives from across the industry, including processors, farmers, policymakers, civil servants and academics.

Caz Graham, British broadcaster, known for her work on the BBC’s Farming Today programme, facilitated the discussion, whose members included Dr Judith Bryans, Dairy UK’s executive director, Paul Vernon, chair of Dairy UK, and Baroness Minette Batters, former president of the NFU and current member of the House of Lords. The first question was simple and complex at the same time: how is dairy doing?

Dr Bryans answered, saying, “When I talk to members, the long-term sentiment is optimistic, and they feel the future is very bright for them. Our industry feeds the world in an increasingly sustainable fashion, and consumers in the UK love their dairy products. It continues to face issues – ranging from international policy, to weather, to the trade challenges.”

Vernon noted, “As for trade, dairy is doing really well. The challenges the UK dairy industry faces are from government trade policy, but the UK-EU deal puts the status back to pre-Brexit levels. However, it’s an agreement, not a policy. Defra plans to implement it in 2027, so it is not imminent. The recent UK-India trade agreement is very uneven. India wants to be the world’s largest milk producer by 2025 and there is no reciprocal access to the Indian market for British products.”

He further said that whatever happens next, “British agriculture needs to be involved. It’s different to being told what’s happening and us being involved in the negotiations.”

Baroness Batters observed, “The UK has one of the more prized food markets in the world. International companies are here because the quality and demand are here. And everyone knows this – except us,” she said to much laughter. Another issue is the endless turnover of ministers, no matter who is running the country, she added. “I have seen seven secretaries of state, and food supply is often taken for granted.”

Dr Bryans agreed, saying, “We take the time to get them to understand the relationship and setup of the industry, and then they’re off again. At the end of the day, we still want to work with the industry, and we can move faster than any legislation can. It would be great if these departments would show that they value agriculture and our sector, because we are feeding people.”

Vernon concurred, noting, “A period of stability would be welcome for a minister or two to get to know the dairy sector.”

Graham posed another question on how much farm support for environmental works exists and how that is going. Baroness Batters replied, “The first rule is about funding. If there are no sustainable food metrics, the products get exported abroad where they get a return. We can’t have diamonds in a paper crown, the support and funding for environmental practices have to be there for the farmers. We cannot afford for this country to keep paying lip service to building a process for these practices, if we get on a road we have to stay on it.”

The Dairy Roadmap 2030 was detailed, and Graham noted there has been a lot of collaboration between industry and the various actors in the supply chain. It was noted that the Roadmap has been in place for 18 years in the dairy industry. Dr Bryans observed, “It will allow us to accelerate the plans already in place, and other sectors are wishing they had done it 18 years ago. By working together, we get there quicker, and we need to do this – we don’t want to be held back by government policies.”

Baroness Batters agreed, saying, “Dairy has been ahead of the game, earlier and faster. We’re already decreasing impact and increasing yield.”

Graham asked about the continuing public perception of dairy. Dr Bryans said, “British people love dairy, it’s needed for nutrition and is in a huge number of fridge in the UK. What drives me crazy are reports such as the EAT-Lancet diet, which had very narrow parameters. A lot of academics who looked at it saw 1.5 billion people who couldn’t afford it and who would suffer from a lack of micronutrients on it. People have to stop saying we have to eat less dairy.”

Vernon concurred, saying, “Judith is being very polite. Another thing dairy brings to the table is huge innovation. There is an insatiable appetite for protein in the diet and dairy provides that. It is sustainable and highly nutritious.”

Baroness Batters said, “Dairy is highly nutrient dense and this is a massive driver.”

John Allen collects award for service to the industry

The UK dairy industry has paid tribute to one of its most respected and influential figures as John Allen was presented with the Dairy UK Award at the annual dinner.

With a career spanning more than 50 years, John has become synonymous with leadership, strategic insight, and unwavering support for the UK dairy industry.

He began his career on a small dairy farm in the Peak District before graduating from Nottingham University and joining ADAS (The Agricultural Development and Advisory Service) as a farm advisor in the Southwest. During his tenure, he supported farmers and businesses through turbulent times, including the introduction of the EU’s milk quota regime in 1984, the deregulation of the Milk Marketing Board a decade later, and the subsequent creation of Milk Marque and its successor organisations. He is perhaps best known as one of the founders and managing partners of Kite Consulting, established in 2000.

Over the course of his career, he has witnessed everything from milk price increases, record fluctuations in interest rates, dramatic shifts in farm and supply chain costs, and the rise, fall, and consolidation of major processors.

As he steps away from the industry after more than five decades, Allen intends to continue giving his time and expertise to other ventures. These include a charity he and his wife have supported for over 30 years, as well as a start-up business in which they are investors. With his new role as a grandfather, a love of travel, and family living abroad, John looks forward to embracing this next chapter.

Dr Judith Bryans, Chief Executive of Dairy UK, said: “John Allen is a true giant of the UK dairy industry. His contribution over the past 50 years has been remarkable – guiding businesses, supporting farmers, and influencing policy through a period of enormous change. John’s insight, integrity, and leadership have left an indelible mark on our sector, and we are proud to celebrate and recognise his outstanding career with this award. The industry owes him an immense debt of gratitude.”

On receiving the award, Allen said, “I feel incredibly honoured to be recognised by my peers in this way. The dairy industry has been my life for more than 50 years, and it has been a privilege to work alongside so many talented and dedicated people. While I may be stepping back, the dairy industry will always have a special place in my heart.

“I have devoted my whole life to the dairy sector. They say it take a village, and this is a very special village. It enables us to collaborate along the supply chain and it has been a pleasure reaching out and getting to know you all along the supply chain over the years.”