Keane re-elected at Dairy UK

Billy Keane has been re-elected to serve for a two year period of office as chairman of Dairy UK. In his chairman’s address to the Dairy UK AGM, Keane says that it would be wrong to underestimate the enormous impact of the Voluntary Code on the industry and, although it was not without its challenges, these would be worked through and resolved. The Voluntary Code, he says, had been the catalyst for the introduction of greater transparency and formula pricing options, which meant that the choices available to dairy farmers were far greater than they were 12 months ago.

Keane describes the resumption of blockading activity as “hugely disappointing” and not a sustainable way to take the industry forward. This could only be achieved by real progress in efficiency, consolidation, innovation and collaboration. That collaboration is being delivered, with farmers working much closer than ever with their processors to develop supply chain relationships and jointly to extract the maximum value out the market.

The chairman says that addressing nutritional challenges to the integrity of dairy products remains at the top of the agenda for Dairy UK and there could be no doubt that public health would become an increasingly important part of Dairy UK’s work, given the regulatory and legislative landscape that lies ahead. In Dr Judith Bryans, who takes over from Jim Begg as chief executive of Dairy UK in a few weeks time, the organisation “has someone with the knowledge, skills and expertise to provide leadership for the industry in meeting these challenges.”

Before closing Keane paid tribute to Jim Begg’s enormous contribution to the industry. He said that Begg had provided “real leadership” and a stabilising force through many difficult periods of turbulence. “His experience will be greatly missed, particularly his extensive knowledge of the international dairy developments” he concludes.