Industry Told That 'Dairy Makes A Difference'
UK – A rally cry has been issued by two industry figureheads to ensure the dairy industry stands up for itself.
15 January 2014
2 minute read
Dairy UK Chief Executive Dr Judith Bryans, while addressing the Semex conference in Glasgow, repeated the mantra; ‘dairy makes a difference’.
Britain's strong domestic consumption remained, while more opportunities were developing for exports overseas, she explained.
She said the coming year is a ‘vital’ one and called on the industry to make sure politicians and the public are reminded that dairy has many positive attributes.
She said: “It is essential that the industry has to stand up for itself and work in a constructive and collaborative manner. It’s never been more important to do that.
“Dairy makes a difference, providing the public with a wide range of nutritious foods including milk, cheese and yogurt.
“Dairy makes a difference as a major industry employing around 25,000 thousand people with many thousands more involved with dairy farming.
“Dairy makes a difference as an environmentally responsible industry which is committed to sustainability.”
Dr Bryans concluded that promoting dairy products is at the core of Dairy UK’s activities and that the British Industry produces high quality products.
Also addressing the Scottish audience was First Milk boss Kate Allum, who shed light on what nutritional dairy means.
Mrs Allum stressed that the food sector does not shout loud enough, spending most of its time 'on the defensive'.
She explained First Milk's product gateway, outlining food has to be both good and good for you.
“Good is about naturally tasty and high quality food that meet consumer preferences," said Mrs Allum. “Good for you is about natural food, with positive nutritional dairy benefits."
The UK is well placed to meet demand for calories dense food as population growth continued, she added.
However, she said: “I am very conscious that the challenges we face as a dairy industry are tough. However, if we break them down, the answers lie within our reach.
“They exist in our food development kitchens; on our farms, and in our factories. The answers exist in the inspiration we get from farmers who combine knowledge, curiosity, and ingenuity, to find a solution.
"We have nature's perfect food in our locker, a product that our competitors in other food and drink categories can only dream about."
“Let’s grasp this opportunity and take responsibility for delivering the kind of future we want.”
TheCattleSite News Desk
