Action plan aims to improve resilience of dairy sector.
Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead published a 25 point plan to help support the Scottish dairy sector on a visit to a dairy producer in Angus today (Tuesday March 24, 2015).
Mr Lochhead met with William and James Taylor, and their father William Snr, at Baldoukie Farm near Tannadice to launch the action plan which aims to improve the resilience of the sector and provide the right platform to ensure the entire industry can thrive in the context of volatile market prices.
He said:
“The dairy sector is vital to Scotland’s farming and food industry, and the wider rural economy. We have 900 dairy farms, with 2000 processing employees, which generate well over £400 million of output – that’s 15 per cent of our total farming productivity. This sector’s future is of real importance to Scotland.
“Scotland has a powerful brand – both at home and abroad – in its food and drink offering and the dairy sector is at the core of that. I look forward to putting today’s plan into action and working with all our partners on its successful delivery.
“We want to grasp the opportunity that the domestic market offers for our high-value products as well as accessing the lucrative overseas markets. I hope that the Scottish Dairy Plan will put the dairy sector on the same platform as Scotch Beef, salmon and whisky, delivering long-term sustainability and helping to shield it from the global volatility.”
The Scottish Dairy Plan takes into account the recommendations made by the Scottish Parliament’s Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee following its own enquiry into the Scottish dairy industry.
There are five main themes set out in today’s Plan:
- Market development
- Promoting best practice in dairy farming
- Promoting a transparent and efficient supply chain
- Supporting First Milk in transforming its operation in Scotland
- Ensuring international rules are correct
Last year, in response to Ambition 2025, the Scottish Government established the Dairy Growth Board and Dairy Hub to drive forward moves towards a thriving dairy industry. The themes set out in today’s plan are in large measure to those set out in Ambition 2025.
Galloway & West Dumfries MSP Alex Fergusson has welcomed the publication of the Scottish Government’s dairy plan. Speaking from the Scottish Parliament he said:
“There is nothing within the plan that I would argue with and it is generally to be welcomed, but no dairy farmer will look at it and think ‘all my troubles are over’. However, while it is true that the current abysmal price that farmers are receiving for their milk is largely due to the global situation, if the measures in the Dairy Plan were implemented there is no doubt that the dairy sector would be in a better place”.
“Much of the success of the plan will depend on the willingness of the retail sector to proactively source Scottish dairy products and give them prominent shelf space. There is no doubt that there is a willingness by the consumer to buy Scottish, but it needs the retailers to play their part. Similarly, if retailers were brought into the Voluntary Code of Conduct, as I recommended in my October 2014 Review of the Code, it would greatly increase the degree of openness and transparency within the supply chain. That could only benefit all the links within that chain”.
“If new investment in dairy processing is to be achieved, this plan needs to be pursued with urgency because, in the meantime, our dairy farmers continue to produce milk at a loss. There is only a limited amount of time anyone can do that”.
Emma Harper Supports ‘Made in Scotland’ Dairy Plan
Growing up on a dairy farm in Dalton, SNP Westminster candidate for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale Emma Harper knows all too well the challenges faced by the industry.
That is why the former nurse educator is today (Tuesday) backing calls for the introduction of a ‘Made in Scotland’ label for Scottish produced dairy products.
The move, put forward by MSP Bruce Crawford and backed by the National Farmers Union Scotland, is recognised in the Scottish Government’s 25 point dairy action plan, launched today. It includes commitments to press Defra to accelerate the timetable for extending Country of Origin Labelling to dairy and will require the UK Government to work with the European Union and the Scottish Government to achieve this.
It comes at a time when dairy farmers across Scotland are facing significant problems due to the falling milk prices with many having to supply processors at less than the cost of production, and supermarkets are selling milk at unsustainable prices.
The changes to labelling would help to boost the dairy industry and motivate milk processors to invest further in Scotland, as well as assisting with consumer understanding of where their food is being produced, and could lead to greater sales of Scottish produce.
Commenting, Ms Harper said:
“I grew up on a local dairy farm. I have mucked out byres, milked cows and birth calves with my father, who was a dairyman for 50 years, so I know all too well how difficult an industry it can be.
“Dairy farming is such an important part of our rural economy in Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale and I want to do all I can to help our dairy farmers capitalise on the worldwide reputation of Scottish food and drink.
“A ‘Made in Scotland’ labelling system would mean consumers know exactly which products are produced locally – I would like to encourage as many people as possible to think Scottish when they are buying their groceries. We have some of the best quality milk, butter, cheeses and yoghurt in the world and choosing local options is a win-win for both consumers and farmers.”
“We need to pressure on the European Commission to introduce labelling regulation which will give consumers the information they need to make informed decisions and support local producers, while also reminding retailers the importance of giving local produce pride of place on their shelves and online stores.”
TIME OF THE ESSENCE IN DELIVERING SCOTTISH DAIRY PLAN
NFU Scotland has welcomed the launch of a 25 point plan to help support the Scottish dairy sector but has said that time is of the essence with regards to delivery.
The Scottish Dairy Plan was unveiled by Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead while visiting the Taylor family dairy farm at Baldoukie, near Tannadice, Forfar today (March 24).
The action plan aims to improve the resilience of the Scottish dairy sector and provide the right platform to ensure the entire industry can thrive in the face of volatile market prices.
Speaking after a meeting of NFU Scotland’s Milk Committee today (24 March), Chairman Graeme Kilpatrick said:
“A prosperous and vibrant dairy industry is hugely important to the food and farming sectors in Scotland but the current price crash being endured by Scottish producers has left many family dairy farms reeling and with difficult decisions to make.
“Time is of the essence and today’s dairy plan recommendations must be progressed with the utmost urgency. For those dairy farmers contemplating their future in milking cows the plan sets out aspirations that will be of future benefit if the right groundwork is in place.
“Work to progress a Scottish dairy brand must be underpinned by investment in processing capacity in Scotland so that we have the ability to produce both commodity and added value goods from Scottish milk closer to our own milk fields. The Scottish Government’s intention to actively encourage investment in new and diverse processing must bring speedy results
“For First Milk producers, support is to be provided to the Campbeltown creamery for necessary works to be completed but Scottish Government must clarify the level of assistance to be given and the timescale for delivery. Similarly, assistance to island producers on costly milk haulage cannot wait until the autumn. That help is needed now.
“Retailers also need to wake up to the fact that Scottish consumers want and expect to see Scottish dairy products properly labelled and identified on their shop shelves and Scottish Government’s commitment to further retailer engagement is good news. Too many retailers hide behind the support they may give to their liquid milk suppliers, conveniently forgetting those producers who are supplying them with the cheese, butter, cream, yoghurts and dairy desserts that make up the bulk of their dairy categories.” Ends
