The Association is run by a team of practical dairy farmers who are nominated and elected by the RABDF members. Together, we ensure dairy farmers views and concerns are represented at regular meetings that take place with government officials, MPs, retailers, processors and other agricultural organisations. This involvement also ensures that we are constantly in touch with any policies being considered.

RABDF participates in a large number of industry groups, including the Dairy Supply Chain Forum, Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture (RUMA), the Environmental Plan for Dairy Farming and the England Cattle Health and Welfare Group. We also provide the secretariat for All Party Parliamentary Group for Dairy Farming (APPG).

Following the July 2008 Defra non-decision against a cull of badgers to help control the spread of bovine tuberculosis RABDF have signed up to an Industry Stakeholder agreement and will continue to lobby on behalf of the dairy farmer to ensure that bTB is eradicted from the UK herd. More on bTB...

Check the Latest News for recent lobbying activities.

The Dairy Cow Welfare Strategy – Year 1 progress against targets report

The Dairy Cow Welfare Strategy developed by the NFU in conjunction with the dairy sector was launched in August 2010 with the support of the whole dairy supply chain, all of whom have committed to collaborate in delivering the agreed targets.

Since the launch in 2010, the Cattle Health and Welfare Group have taken the responsibility for the coordination and delivery of this strategy. Part of this responsibility is the provision of an annual report that details the progress the sector has made against the targets.

This document is a summary of the progress made in the first year, by the GB dairy sector in its quest for continually improving the welfare of the dairy cow.

Please click here to download the report.

If you have any comments you would like to share with RABDF on Lobbying & Consultaions please use the form below: