Broad Review of UK Dairy Sector
UK - Action to tackle human nutrition, the environment, animal health and welfare in the dairy sector is to get a further boost, after a broad strategic review of industry bodies.
12 February 2009
2 minute read
One of the main changes resulting from the review is that The Dairy Council will soon move to the same London offices as Dairy UK. From 1 April, core funding will be provided solely by Dairy UK, ending the current joint funding arrangement with DairyCo.
Dairy UK and The Dairy Council will lead on promoting human health and nutrition, while DairyCo, in close liaison with the NFU, will lead on animal health and welfare. DairyCo will fund a new information resource on dairy farming that will mirror The Dairy Council’s work in human nutrition, aiming to raise a positive public profile for dairy farming. All these organisations will continue to co-ordinate their work on environment-related issues.
Dairy Council Director Judith Bryans said: “Joining Dairy UK will raise the profile of our work on human nutrition. The move will give us a stronger base from which to educate health professionals and journalists about the benefits of dairy. I look forward to playing a more active role in promoting the dairy sector.”
Dairy UK Director General Jim Begg said: “The Dairy Council will retain full independence and its enviable reputation for rigour and science. But its qualified nutritionists will give us more lobbying clout than ever in the dairy nutrition arena. Overall, this review is good news for dairy farmers and processors and strengthens the voice of the industry.”
DairyCo Chief Executive Ken Boyns said: “Increased co-ordination in the supply chain will boost the good work of all parties. I am confident we will see increasingly effective promotion and defence of dairy farming and dairy products. This move will also avoid duplication of effort.”
Hayley Campbell Gibbons, NFU Chief Dairy Adviser said: “In order to continue meeting farmers’ expectations of us in defending and promoting dairy farming’s credentials it is vital that the gaps that exist in our knowledge and data are addressed. This move will lead to a clearer focus on key issues and research needs.”
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