Nick Herbert Attends Dairy UK Board Meeting

Shadow Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary Nick Herbert was yesterday briefed by Dairy UKs board on the key issues affecting the dairy sector.

The Conservative MP for Arundel and the South Downs heard views on environmental regulation, bovine TB, farm subsidies and nutritional regulation. But he was left in no doubt of the dynamism and the vision of the UK dairy sector.

Dairy UK Chairman Mark Allen said: Dairy UK made the point very forcefully that there needed to be a level playing field across Europe if British farmers and processors were to compete fairly. Mr Herbert said he fully accepted this principle.

Board members also argued that the dairy industry needed a confidence boost from government. Producers, in particular, would be encouraged to invest in their farms if they knew that the dairy sector was valued. The biggest single sign of support government could give is to engage meaningfully over bovine TB.

We were very encouraged by Mr Herberts comments, especially when he spoke about the need for the UK to produce more of its own food domestically.

Dairy UK also told Mr Herbert that the best policy results were achieved where government and the industry worked together. The Milk Roadmap and the Dairy Partnership had both delivered major benefits for the environment and for nutrition.