 DECEMBER
Leading global speakers at the Dairy UK
Obesity and the Dairy Industry Conference
The Dairy UK Obesity and the dairy industry conference
in London on the afternoo of 22nd January features a line-up of
top international speakers.
more>>
Dairy UK and DEFRA launch Information Hub
Dairy UK and the Dairy Supply Chain Forum today
(Tuesday) launched ‘Opening the Barriers’, a new information
hub for the dairy sector.
‘Opening the Barriers’ is an on-line
resource which provides advice and solutions to anyone who wishes
to develop new products or working practices.
The hub is a Dairy Supply Chain Forum initiative
created by Dairy UK in response to the Forum’s “Barriers
to Innovation” Report, which identified the need to provide
information to encourage innovation in the sector.
Visitors to the Hub, which is accessible on Dairy
UK’s website, www.dairyUK.org, are given information and
advice on start-up, equipment, funding and raw materials as well
as guidance on product development and compliance with legal requirements,
product distribution, marketing and business benchmarking.
more>>
Dairy products "Good value for British
customers"
Dairy UK, the trade association that represents
the dairy industry, said today that dairy products in the UK are
extremely good value for consumers.
Responding to today’s OFT announcement on
fines imposed on supermarkets and dairy processors in relation
to price collusion, Jim Begg, Director General of Dairy UK, said:
“The OFT investigation refers to events five years ago and
any price rises then reflected the major cost and income difficulties
being encountered by dairy farmers.
more>>
NOVEMBER
Co-operation key to milk contracts success
Dairy UK said today that co-operation in milk contract
arrangements is vital in creating a world class dairy industry
in the UK.
Responding to the NFU’s proposals on milk
contracts, Jim Begg, Director General of Dairy UK, said: “We
acknowledge the farmer unions’ efforts in raising this issue.
We have witnessed continuous evolution of contracts in the dairy
industry over the past few years and this has created a greater
diversity of arrangements than anywhere else in Europe.
more>>
Dairy industry fit for the future says Dairy
UK Chairman
The UK dairy industry is ‘fit for the future’
and has demonstrated world-class levels of innovation, determination
and efficiency in the toughest of market conditions, David Curry,
Chairman of Dairy UK, said yesterday.
Speaking at yesterday’s reception in the Northern
Ireland Parliamentary Building, Mr David Curry, said that environmental
concerns flowing from climate change, increasing pressure on food
manufacturers from a government increasingly alarmed by the problems
of obesity and a rapidly changing consumer market place are changing
the environment in which the industry operated.
more>>
Dairy UK announces appointment of new communications
director
Dairy UK today (Thursday) announced the appointment of Sam
Fortescue to the position of Communications Director at Dairy
UK.
Mr Fortescue is currently the Fresh Foods Editor at The Grocer.
He previously worked as the Business Reporter at Farmers Weekly,
where he was awarded the Reed Business Information (RBI) Editorial
Newcomer of the
Year in 2005 and RBI Features Writer of the Year in 2006.
more>>
OCTOBER
Dairy
UK announces re-election of Dairy Energy Savings Chairman
Dairy UK today, (Friday) announced the re-election
of Gerard Sweeney as Chairman of Dairy Energy Savings Ltd.
Dairy Energy Savings is a company set up and operated
by Dairy UK on behalf of the UK dairy industry to run the dairy
sector’s climate change agreement.
Commenting on his re-appointment Mr Gerard Sweeney
said: “I am glad to be re-appointed as Chairman. The dairy
sector is making significant energy savings as a consequence of
its energy savings agreement, and I am confident that the industry
will continue to strive to make further savings.
Mr Sweeney added: “Tackling climate change
is an increasingly important challenge for all industries. The
dairy sector climate change agreement helps to focus attention
at senior management level on reducing energy usage.”
more>>
Dairy
UK welcomes the approval of nitrates derogation for Northern Ireland
Farmers
Dairy UK (Northern Ireland) today, (Tuesday) welcomed
the decision by the European Commission to approve the derogation
application under the EC Nitrates Directive.
This derogation from the EC Nitrate Directive means
that grassland farms in Northern Ireland, which meet the conditions,
will be allowed to apply cattle manure up to a maximum of 250kg
organic nitrogen per hectare per year.
Paul Archer, Director, Dairy UK (Northern Ireland)
said today: “This is a victory for common sense and provides
dairy farmers with a balanced and workable derogation that will
allow farmers to make the most of grass-based production, while
protecting water quality.
“We welcome the approval of derogation, but
appreciate it will mean more detailed record keeping for farmers,
and we hope this will remain at a manageable level.”
more>>
Dairy
UK calls for immediate increase in Healthy Start voucher value
Dairy UK has today, 3rd October 2007, called for
the Government to immediately raise the value of its Healthy Start
voucher.
Rising prices of milk and fresh fruit and vegetables
which are the benefits available to recipients of the vouchers
mean that the real value of this targeted nutritional benefit
has dropped by over 20% since it was first set 4 years ago.
more>>
SEPTEMBER
Special Northern Ireland Conference on CAP ‘Health
Check’
Dairy UK Northern Ireland is to hold a special conference to examine
forthcoming changes to the Common Agriculture Policy and the implications
for the dairy industry.
more>>
UK dairy prices competitive for consumers - Dairy
UK response to OFT report
Jim Begg, Director General of Dairy UK, said: “The OFT report
is now being studied by the dairy companies involved. They will
be responding to the OFT findings individually but the OFT has made
it clear it cannot decide the law has been broken until it has received
representations from the parties involved.
more>>
Dairy UK Postpones International Conference
Dairy UK announced today (Friday) it is to postpone its international
conference and dinner next week at Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, in
view of the latest foot and mouth outbreak.
More than 250 industry figures were due to attend the conference
and dinner on Tuesday September 18th, including many dairy farmers
from around the UK. The event was planned to co-ordinate with the
RABDF Dairy Event at Stoneleigh.
more>>
Immediate dairy action on foot and mouth outbreak
Dairy UK said today (Wednesday September 12) the dairy industry
has activated immediately a full range of precautionary bio security
measures nationally in view of the latest foot-and-mouth outbreak.
Dairy UK Director General, Jim Begg, said the dairy industry had
responded ‘swiftly and effectively’ to the outbreak.
The dairy industry has activated its code of good practice devised
in conjunction with the government. Dairy companies, co-operatives,
hauliers and other milk buyers are committed to the code.
more>>
Dairy UK/MDC Scholarship Winner Announced
Dairy UK and the Milk Development Council (MDC) today, (Monday)
are proud to announce Tom Rawson as the winner of the 2007 Dairy
UK/MDC Scholarship.
As scholarship winner Tom, an organic dairy farmer from West Yorkshire,
will attend the International Dairy Federation (IDF) 2007 World
Dairy Summit in Dublin. His prize also includes all summit fees,
return flights to Dublin, six night’s accommodation, attendance
at the opening and closing dinners, and a one-day technical tour.
Tom Rawson, scholarship winner said: “I am immensely proud
to have been chosen to receive the scholarship and attend the summit
in Dublin. I am really looking forward to the upcoming conferences
as well as the chance to report on my summit experiences to the
dairy industry throughout the rest of the year. “
more>
Milk gets the green light for schools
Milk will be at the heart of drinks sales in schools when new
regulations come into force next week.
From September 10, new regulations in England will allow the sale
of flavoured milk in schools. Semi-skimmed milk is already one of
the few drinks recommended for sale in schools and the inclusion
of flavoured milk will offer school children greater choice of healthy
and nutritious drinks.
The inclusion of flavoured milk follows talks between Dairy UK
and the Department for Children, Schools and Families. Now Ministers
have agreed to introduce a new flavoured milk category in the milk
drinks permitted.
Jim Begg, Director General of Dairy UK, said: “The decision
to include flavoured milk as a drink that can be sold in schools
is good news all round. Children have taken to these drinks in a
big way which is hugely encouraging as they are healthy and nutritious.
Furthermore, we’re certain that parents and teachers are happy
to see developments which discourage unhealthy fizzy drinks and
encourage healthy products.
more>>
AUGUST
Defra's Nitrates Consultation a Challenge for the Dairy
Sector
Defra's Nitrates Consultation a Challenge for the Dairy Sector.
Dairy UK said today, Wednesday, that proposed changes to the implementation
of the Nitrates Directive in England posed unprecedented challenges
for dairy farmers.
Speaking about the publication of Defra’s consultation on
the implementation of the Nitrates Directive in England, Peter Dawson,
Policy Director for Dairy UK said: “It’s clear that
this will be a major issue for dairy farmers. Defra’s proposals
will impose significant costs on the dairy sector such as additional
storage requirements.
more>>
Dairy industry well prepared for foot and mouth outbreak
posted Wednesday 8th August 2007
Dairy UK said today (Saturday August 4) the dairy industry was
well prepared to respond effectively to the foot and mouth outbreak
in Surrey.
Dairy companies, co-operatives, hauliers and other milk buyers will
be operating to a code of good practice devised in conjunction with
the government.
Milk produced outwith the protection and surveillance zone in
Surrey is not subject to any special restrictions at present.
Milk collected and processed within the zone is subject to extra
precautionary measures. All milk in the area has to be pasteurised
and pasteurised milk carries no health risk.
more>>
Dairy exports to continue
posted Tuesday 7th August 2007
Speaking about the impact of the FMD outbreak on the dairy industry,
Jim Begg, Director General of Dairy UK said: “Exports of dairy
products to the European Union, which constitutes 82% of dairy exports
from the UK, will not be affected by the Foot and Mouth outbreak.
“The European Commission will require additional control
procedures to be put in place, but with the co-operation of Defra,
these are perfectly attainable. Nothing the Commission is asking
from the dairy industry isn’t already in place.
“The Food Standards Agency has made it absolutely clear that
there are no public health and safety issues for the human food
chain, so just as in 2001, there’s no reason to expect any
adverse consumer reaction.
“The one question mark is over the speed with which exports
outside the EU can resume. These constitute a relatively small but
nonetheless important part of our total output.”
more>>
JULY
NOMINATIONS INVITED FOR IDF VACANCIES
Nominations invited for Board of Directors and Science Programme
Co-ordination Committee.
Following recently approved plans to change its governing bodies
the International Dairy Federation is establishing a Board of Directors
and a Science and Programme Coordination Committee and nominations
are being invited for candidates on both of these bodies. This is
an excellent opportunity to become involved at a senior level for
an organisation that represents the global dairy sector.
Full information about the general characteristics required for
all positions, and the specific characteristics required for individual
ones, can be obtained here.
The deadline for all nominations is 15 August.
DAIRY UK HOUSE OF COMMONS SUMMER RECEPTION 2007 PHOTOGRAPHS
Please click here to
view and download photos
UK dairy ‘an industry fit for the future'
posted Wednesday 11th July 2007
The UK dairy industry is ‘fit for the future’ and has
demonstrated world-class skill in innovation and efficiency in the
toughest of market conditions, David Curry, Chairman of Dairy UK,
said today.
Speaking at a Dairy UK summer reception at the House of Commons,
Mr Curry said the current surge in milk prices - driven by world
demand - meant that the industry had turned a corner after a prolonged
period of intense pressure.
He said that farmers had encountered severe difficulties over the
last few years and there was still an unprecedented range of challenges
facing many producers. However, the industry had wisely prepared
structurally for the future and was focusing heavily on adding value
to milk.
more>>
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Dairy
UK News Archive: from July to December 2007 
