Prof David Leaver elected RABDF president
Prof David Leaver is the newly elected president of the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers. He succeeds John Alvis MBE who steps down after two years in the position.
Prof David Leaver is the newly elected president of the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers. He succeeds John Alvis MBE who steps down after two years in the position.
Following a career spanning 20 years in dairy research and 20 years in agricultural education, Prof Leaver brings a comprehensive wealth of knowledge and experience to the organisation. He retired in 2007 as principal and chief executive of the Royal Agricultural College, prior to which he was Professor of Agriculture at Wye College, University of London and Imperial College. He is current chairman of the RASE’s Practice with Science Group, president of the British Institute of Agricultural Consultants (BIAC), a member of the government chief scientific adviser’s Food Research Partnership, and also of the Commercial Farmers Group. He has produced a recent series of reports on improving the competitiveness of UK agriculture through re-invigorating the partnership between science and agricultural practice.
“I am delighted to be elected RABDF president,” he said. “My background is steeped in dairying having been brought up on a small producer-retailer dairy farm in Lancashire, followed by a research career focused on improving the efficiency of dairy cattle production systems, so it is both a pleasure and honour to have this involvement with RABDF. This is a difficult time for the dairy industry and it is a priority that we develop a supply chain that is both fair and transparent. It is also a time when technical innovation will bring about opportunities to develop more productive, profitable and sustainable dairying systems which we shall require to become more competitive as an industry. I shall provide my support to dairy farmers in this changing landscape in any way I can through my RABDF president’s role.”
“We are looking forward to David Leaver’s input,” said RABDF chief executive, Nick Everington. “His scientific background combined with practical experience in the dairy sector and sound common sense will help drive forward the organisation strategically and benefit all farming businesses.” He added: “Farmers will have the opportunity to meet and talk with him at the forthcoming Livestock 2012, at The NEC, Birmingham on Tuesday 4 and Wednesday 5 September.”