Efra report on future of the dairy industry fails to deliver - RABDF
1 August 2011
The Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers has criticised the Efra committee report into future of the dairy industry saying it is yet another document to be confined to the shelves having failed to identify any real new solutions to redress UK famers’ problems. It rightly believes that the EU plans for the dairy sector will not impact on UK dairy businesses simply because of its scale and efficiency but it could have gone so much further.
“Efra has published yet another report which concludes the dairy farming industry is in a precarious state when all the indications are globally that it has never been stronger,” says RABDF chairman, David Cotton. “The report covers a range of issues in mealy mouthed words which fail to come up with any real solutions.
“For example it appeals to Government for specific compulsory milk contracts when the vast majority of farmers are already signed up and to change would be a fraught and difficult exercise,” he says. “Efra calls for some regulation on large scale dairy farming when it needs to embrace the fact they can be just as well managed and highly efficient as small family units. In addition, the report points out that Defra appears to have no strategy if the industry goes in to meltdown, when clearly it should have such a responsibility.”
Mr Cotton urges that some of the real solutions for a dynamic future industry lie in a fair deal for every party involved in the chain, increased training and better skills, improved margins not only to cover costs of production but also to enable investment particularly in parlours and accommodation, increased consumer awareness that big is not necessarily bad, and further consolidation and continued investment in the processing sector including product innovation for a potential export audience.
He adds: “In reality, the Defra initiated Dairy Supply Chain Forum is the only established and recognised body representing farmers, processors, retailers and government sitting down together and should be the mechanism to bring about the much needed change and ensure there is a future for the entire dairy sector. Everyone ought to be in a position to find some solutions, but we need leadership and good guidance from government.”
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