The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has launched a survival plan for dairy producers to help secure long-term future milk supplies for the UK.
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The agriculture body unveiled the plan at its conference this week, which it says was launched as the number of UK dairy farmers had dwindled from over 28,000 in 1997 to the current figure of 13,601.
The plan sets out a set of actions for farmers, milk buyers, retailers, the government, the NFU and a number of other industry bodies.
NFU dairy board chairman Gwyn Jones was keen to point out that the sector has a bright future providing steps are taken to build farmers’ confidence and avoid a real erosion of critical mass.
“There are many reasons to be positive about the future of dairying,” he said.
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By GlobalData“Firstly the global demand for dairy products continues to grow, in fact it is predicted to double by 2050, and closer to home there is the growing interest consumers are showing in buying quality, British produce. There are also the beginnings of some proper supply chain relationships and increasing levels of product innovation
“However, the ability of dairy farmers to stand back and appreciate that the long term prospects for their industry are positive is understandably very difficult when faced with some very significant short-term challenges including TB, NVZs, high and volatile input costs, and unstable milk prices.
“The consequences mean there is a lack of confidence, low levels of investment and expansion, and high numbers of farmers are leaving the industry which in turn leads to falling milk production.”
He added that the plan shows leadership to the supply chain by identifying remedies and solutions to some of these challenges.
“We cannot be naïve to some of the very real burdens affecting dairy farmers’ confidence. I hope the plan is received positively by the industry and that each part of the chain is ready and willing to play its part in building confidence and boosting supply.”
