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Future’s bright for dairy industry, says Dairy UK Prospects for the dairy industry are good, as trading conditions for farmers continue to improve, Dairy UK said today in response to DairyCo’s annual farmer intentions’ survey. Dairy UK Director General Jim Begg said: “Major changes in the dairy market over the past year have improved trading conditions for most dairy farmers. However, for UK milk production to fully stabilise, farmers need the confidence to undertake major investment, allowing them to achieve production efficiencies whilst meeting a growing burden of regulatory costs. “It is therefore important that the maximum value is obtained from milk. The recent rise in farm gate prices has seen milk recover the ground it has lost over the past 10 years, and sterling’s devaluation will underpin these gains. “Longer term the prospects are good. The opportunities for further gains from product innovation, supply chain co-operation and efficiency improvements are still enormous. Dairy companies are focusing on product differentiation to generate more added value. The industry is working closely with its customers to realise the opportunities in the market place. “Aside from these developments producers can be reassured that UK fresh milk and dairy products are just too important to the UK consumer for the market to be unable to adequately reward UK farmers. “A world-class industry is being built that can take on the challenges of tomorrow and forward looking farmers can be confident that there is a future for them in this industry.” For further information please contact Sam Fortescue, Communications Director at Dairy UK, on 020 7467 2630, or at sfortescue@dairyUK.org
Dairy sector commits to ambitious new environmental targets Dairy processors, farmers and retailers have today reached an
ambitious In a move that will set the mould for other sectors of the UK economy and is already attracting attention abroad, the dairy industry today published a Milk Road Map, which clearly sets out environmental targets over the next 12 years. By 2020, half of all plastic milk bottles will be recycled into new milk bottles, almost no waste will be sent to landfill by dairies and water and energy consumption will be lower in absolute terms. The recycling pledge alone will save 60,000 tonnes of virgin plastic each year, equivalent to 1.5 billion bottles. Other targets for 2020 include:
The Road Map, drawn up by the Dairy Supply Chain Forum’s
Sustainable Already a strong environmental performer, with investment in renewable Dairy UK Director General Jim Begg said: “The Milk Road
Map is a step change in the way we produce, process and consume
liquid milk. “Shoppers will be getting the same nutritious, tasty milk that they do now, but they will know that it has a lower impact on the environment than ever before. The dairy sector is leading the food industry with this initiative, and we are laying down a benchmark for other products to emulate.” The Road Map process was overseen by the Department for the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (Defra). For further information please contact Sam Fortescue, Communications
New Dairy UK Director for Northern Ireland prioritises
envirnoment and continued industry growth Dairy UK’s new Northern Ireland Director, Dr Mike Johnston, said today he would make the high cost of environmental compliance for dairy companies one of the key priorities in his new role. Dr Johnston, who succeeds Paul Archer on 1 April, said: “Dairy UK and its members across Great Britain and Northern Ireland are strongly committed to further improvements in their environmental performance. But, as with many areas of public policy, the cost of compliance and the burden of red tape is a major concern. We need both clear guidelines and uniformity in their application across the UK. At the minute we have neither.” The threat of Bluetongue is also near the top of the Dairy UK agenda in Northern Ireland. Dr Johnston will keep up close contact with DARDNI officials to monitor developments and keep NI members informed. He said: “We appreciate the co-operation of DARDNI in helping with export certification where necessary, and in providing confirmation for buyers that NI is still Bluetongue free. We are also in close contact with UFU, and fully support the industry wide initiatives to keep NI Bluetongue free.” Dr Johnston is also Chief Executive of the Dairy Council NI – a role he will retain. He said: “Although both organisations will continue to operate separately, this joint servicing initiative represents a small, but important rationalisation within the NI dairy industry. "The dairy industry is a significant part of the agri-food sector in Northern Ireland, and makes an important contribution both to the local economy, and to the well being of rural communities. I look forward to working with dairy processors and farmers to help improve revenue and competitiveness." Jim Begg, Director General of Dairy UK said: “I’d like to extend our thanks to Paul, who has served as NI Director since Dairy UK was set up in 2004. He has been an enthusiastic and skilful advocate for the dairy industry. “Mike takes over the reins in Northern Ireland at an exciting time for the dairy industry. Farmers and processors face a challenging commercial environment and burgeoning regulation, but opportunity also abounds. Manufacturers are efficiently producing an expanding range of innovative, healthy and above all, tasty, dairy products. From 1 April, Dairy UK Northern Ireland can be contacted on 07775 595 892 or by email at mjohnston@dairyUK.org. For further information please contact Sam Fortescue, Communications Director at Dairy UK, on 020 7467 2630, or at sfortescue@dairyUK.org
Dairy UK says advertising restrictions not addressing the
real issue Restrictions on advertising ‘junk foods’ to children should not be extended because they don’t work, Dairy UK told the Westminster Forum this week. In addition, the definition of junk food needs to be re-examined, since some milk, yogurt and cheese are put into this category by the Food Standards Agency’s Nutrient Profiling Model (NPM). Dairy products are packed with high quality protein and micronutrients which are a vital part of a balanced diet. Speaking ahead of a crunch Commons vote next month on wide-ranging food advertising restrictions, Technical Director Ed Komorowski told the Forum that the existing Ofcom ban on prime-time junk food ads had done little to lower youth obesity. He called for a change in focus by the FSA. “Dairy UK recognises that obesity is reaching epidemic proportions and must be tackled by government and industry together. We welcomed the Foresight Report on Obesity, which identified that obesity was multi-factorial, and had hoped for a fresh look at the problem. “However, the current ban on prime-time food adverts imposed by Ofcom, based on the NPM, has been a blunt and ineffective tool which should not be extended. “Children - especially teenage girls - need calcium to build strong bones so that in later life they are less likely to develop osteoporosis. Children need many other nutrients too, supplied in the number of calories which match energy expenditure. Dairy foods are nutrient dense and can help.” Komorowski also called on the FSA to tell consumers what they shouldeat, through its Eatwell plate, rather than focusing on ‘unhealthy’ foods. He urged the FSA to promote a three-a-day dairy message, since research has shown that a dairy-rich diet can fight obesity. “Promoting a balanced diet is a critical part of the solution, and until we begin to focus on this, advertising bans will only be a distraction.” The debate in the Westminster Forum comes in preparation for a Commons debate next month on Nigel Griffiths MP’s bill to extend the TV children’s advertising watershed to 9pm. The debate takes place on 25 April.
Dairy UK Appoints Environment Manager Dairy UK has appointed a new Environment Manager to lead work on energy saving in the dairy sector. Maria Wasley has already started work and is helping to fine tune far-reaching environmental targets for dairy companies. Maria joins Dairy UK from consultancy RSK Environmental Health and Safety, where she was a Senior Engineer. She is also a member of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment. She has worked with industry across a broad range of environmental matters including developing climate change strategies, compliance, evaluation of emissions to air, land and water, and emissions reduction. Jim Begg, Director General of Dairy UK said: “We’re delighted to have Maria joining the team to drive forward our ambitious environmental work. She will undoubtedly prove an invaluable addition to the staff. “The UK dairy industry has been clear from the very start that it was committed to lessening its environmental footprint, and is involved in numerous projects to do exactly that. Maria’s appointment is just part of that commitment.” Maria said: “Environmental issues, such as climate change, have really moved up the agenda for business and for the public. I’m looking forward to working alongside the members of the dairy industry and I’m excited by the environmental initiatives that are currently in place, as well as the strong commitment shown by the sector to explore ways of improving its environmental performance.” Maria can be reached at mwasley@dairyUK.org or by phone on 020 7467 2602.
Healthy Increase for Healthy Start Dairy UK today welcomes the Department of Health’s decision to increase the value of the Healthy Start voucher by 7%. Following significant lobbying of the DoH, Dairy UK is delighted that the voucher value will increase from £2.80 to £3.00 from April. Healthy Start vouchers can be redeemed by beneficiaries for fresh milk and fruit and vegetables and play a vital role in the provision of child nutrition. Dairy UK’s Director General, Jim Begg, said, “We are pleased that the Department of Health has decided to increase the value of this valued, targeted benefit. Food inflation was beginning to seriously undermine its value and we have been campaigning for an increase for some time.” “Dairy UK will continue to work with the DoH to ensure that the benefit of the voucher remains at a meaningful level and that take up is maximised.” The increase in voucher value will also help the nation‘s milkmen and women who deliver fresh milk to beneficiaries on a daily basis and often provide a vital lifeline in their local communities. For further information please contact Sam Fortescue, Communications Director at Dairy UK, on 020 7467 2630, or at sfortescue@dairyUK.org
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