Saturday 26 May 2012
Headlines
Did you find this story interesting? (0) (0)
24/04/2007
Dairy industry facing array of challenges
The recent price increases announced by supermarkets and processors were very welcome, but prices are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the range of issues over which the dairy industry is battling for its economic life.
Speaking today (Tuesday) at the central London debate on milk prices, hosted by the Women's Institute, Mr David Curry, chairman of Dairy UK, said that environmental concerns flowing from climate change, increasing pressure on food manufacturers from a government increasingly alarmed by the problems of obesity and a rapidly changing consumer market place are changing the environment in which the industry operated.
As milk buyers increasingly bought into processing farmers should look to earn a return as shareholders as well as producers. The industry itself had to pursue further rationalisation to generate the returns for investment in the new products and to maintain the modernisation of manufacturing capacity. Branded products – including liquid milk – would grow in importance.
"However tempting it is for farmers to want to crawl back into the womb of the Milk Marketing Board the fact is that innovation and enterprise in this fast-moving and hugely competitive sector will not be well served by a regulator." He commented.
"We already face increasing regulation on environmental matters and the recent Ofcom decision to ban advertising of so-called "junk" foods during children's television suggests that we are heading the same way on lifestyle issues.
"The industry- from retailer to processor- has shown that it responds both to market signals and to consumer demand and these are by far the most efficient "regulator" the industry could face."
It was too soon to see if the recent price rises would stem the exodus from the industry by farmers. "The market fundamentals remain the same: it is a buyers' market subject to pressure from CAP reform and responding, ultimately, to commodity movements. The price rises give a desperately needed boost to parts of the industry but they should be seen as the first steps in putting the industry back on a more sustainable footing." said Mr Curry.
 |
Speaking today (Tuesday) at the central London debate on milk prices, hosted by the Women's Institute, Mr David Curry, chairman of Dairy UK, said that environmental concerns flowing from climate change, increasing pressure on food manufacturers from a government increasingly alarmed by the problems of obesity and a rapidly changing consumer market place are changing the environment in which the industry operated.
As milk buyers increasingly bought into processing farmers should look to earn a return as shareholders as well as producers. The industry itself had to pursue further rationalisation to generate the returns for investment in the new products and to maintain the modernisation of manufacturing capacity. Branded products – including liquid milk – would grow in importance.
"However tempting it is for farmers to want to crawl back into the womb of the Milk Marketing Board the fact is that innovation and enterprise in this fast-moving and hugely competitive sector will not be well served by a regulator." He commented.
"We already face increasing regulation on environmental matters and the recent Ofcom decision to ban advertising of so-called "junk" foods during children's television suggests that we are heading the same way on lifestyle issues.
"The industry- from retailer to processor- has shown that it responds both to market signals and to consumer demand and these are by far the most efficient "regulator" the industry could face."
It was too soon to see if the recent price rises would stem the exodus from the industry by farmers. "The market fundamentals remain the same: it is a buyers' market subject to pressure from CAP reform and responding, ultimately, to commodity movements. The price rises give a desperately needed boost to parts of the industry but they should be seen as the first steps in putting the industry back on a more sustainable footing." said Mr Curry.
No Comments
Nobody has posted any comments on this story.
|
Farming items for Sale
|
Ford 1710 - Wilberfoss(GBP 2400)
2008 - Claas - Arion 630 'CIS' - Ballyclare
(Price on Application)
(Price on Application)
Deutz Agrofarm 100 - Stirling(GBP 31800)
John Deere - 6930 TRACTOR 2010 - Norwich
(Price on Application)
(Price on Application)
McCormick MC135 Power 6 - North Tiverton(GBP 16950)
Related News
Four UK farming unions lay down challenge to the dairy industry - 18 Jul 2006Picture: Representatives from the four UK farming unions meet in Pembrokeshire The UK farming unions have laid down a challenge to talk up the UK d...
Australia-Dairy industry faces a global downturn. - 05 Feb 2009The Australian Dairy Industry Council (ADIC) chaired a meeting last week of dairy leaders who agreed on an immediate plan of action in response to...
DairyCo says GB dairy industry well ahead in tackling EFSA report challenges - 21 Jul 2009DairyCo has welcomed the latest report on health and welfare of dairy cows in Europe from the European Food Safety Authority, and says the British dai...
£500,000 innovation challenge to dairy industry - 06 Sep 2010Carbon Trust and Dairy UK announce search for new energy efficient processes Up to £500,000 in co-funding is being offered to dairy producers, equ...
New challenges to face as FMA says farewell - 10 Oct 2003The agricultural supply industry faces the challenge of establishing "concrete credibility" with both government and the general public, says Stan Den...
Europe facing food security challenges - 25 Sep 2009Eastern Region MEP Robert Study joined a panel of leading crop experts in Barcelona to discuss concerns about global food security and the vital role ...
Wide array of fresh produce from the North-East at Durham Farmers Market - 13 Oct 2007FROM organic meat to Northumberland cheese, freshly-baked pastries to the finest fruit and vegetables, Durham's Farmers' Market offers a wide ...
Time bomb faces the egg industry - 23 Aug 2005The egg industry is facing a ‘demographic time bomb’ because whole generations are losing the habit of eating eggs. That is the bleak picture to em...
Work together now or face a declining UK malting barley industry - 03 Mar 2004The malting barley chain from grower to brewer needs to start working together now if the UK industry is to survive says a leading national malting ba...
Dairy UK Chairman urges OFT not to thwart dairy industry development - 14 Sep 2005The chairman of Dairy UK today urged the Office of Fair Trading not to stand in the way of development and consolidation in the dairy industry which m...
