A week may be a long time in politics, but it’s nothing to a year in the dairy sector!
Since becoming chair of the National Dairy Board in March I have been fortunate to meet many NFU members from all over England and Wales, engage with the wider supply chain and lobby government on behalf of all UK farmers.
It has been a year which has seen the new Fair Dealing Obligations Regulations finally become law. I want to thank the hundreds of producers who turned out to our dairy roadshow meetings to hear how this legislation could affect their businesses.
2024 also saw the Dairy Export Showcase, led by the Department for Business & Trade, take place. A direct result of lobbying by the NFU and dairy exporters, the showcase brought over 40 traders from all around the world to the UK to learn more about British dairy and drive market access.
We also welcomed the formation of three new Dairy Producer Organisations as farmers commit to working together to ensure stronger representation and to negotiate fairer terms for producers.
New government, new challenges
Perhaps the biggest change this last year has been the election of a new Labour-led government.
For the NFU this has meant a marked shift in lobbying strategy.
We need to ensure we demonstrate how the British agricultural sector, and dairy in particular, is part of the answer to many of the challenges this government wants to tackle.
“We are stronger when we work together, as farmers and as a whole dairy supply chain. I am lucky to be working alongside a fantastic board on your behalf.”
NFU Dairy Board chair Paul Tompkins
Since the Budget was announced on 30 October it is clear we have an uphill battle when it comes to ensuring the voices of UK farmers are heard and that MPs, many new to rural constituencies, really understand and fight for our industry.
Stronger together
I will not try to predict what 2025 will bring.
Farmers have faced too much volatility in recent years, whether from the boom and bust of the markets, unpredictable weather, uncertainty over future regulation or broken promises on future payments.
What I do know is that we are stronger when we work together, as farmers and as a whole dairy supply chain. I am lucky to be working alongside a fantastic board on your behalf.
Please do reach out to any of us if you wish to raise an issue, want to find out more about our work or simply want to get more involved.
