2 July 2013

2 minute read

Europe

Addressing political and industry leaders at the Dairy UK annual dinner in London, Mr Keane said: “Around the world we can expect growth in demand for our products higher than most countries can for their whole economies.

“As economies develop, populations rise. The process of urbanisation will continue in developing countries so we can expect the demand for our products to rise. That is a pretty good situation to be in and it presents great opportunities. We have massive potential for growth.”

Mr Keane said the industry could take ‘great pride’ in its achievements and can go from strength to strength. He said: “We should not for a moment underestimate the challenges that face our industry. Like other sectors we have tough decisions ahead of us as we try to create profitability throughout the supply chain.

“That said, our customers – and I mean our consumers – love our products. I think we would all do well to remember that. Britain loves dairy. We have done for centuries and dairy is part of the fabric of the nation. Not only do our consumers love it, the story is the same all over the world.”

He said Dairy UK was committed to a strategy of ‘getting it right’ and this included:-

• Governments freeing up markets, minimising red tape and incentivising added value.
• Businesses striving for competitiveness.
• Anticipating change, managing volatility, promoting and protecting the integrity of dairy products.

Mr Keane said: “One year ago, we were approaching a summer of real discontent. Today, I think the outlook is very different. Sure the milk prices have gone up, and that’s made a massive difference but so have the input costs.

“I’m not in any way underestimating the impact that the weather has had on our milk production levels but in general there is significantly more promise in the industry than there was a year ago.

“That tells me that the industry, working hand in hand with the Government, has laboured hard to address what was a very difficult situation for everyone.

“I commend the work done by Dairy UK, and the farming unions throughout the country on the Voluntary Code of Practice. That has been a huge success and the work will go on to make it an even better Code, with even stronger penetration.

“Getting things right is our strategy. Enabling individual businesses on farms and in companies to prosper and be rewarded on their own merits is our philosophy.

“Profitable growth is our target. And I have every confidence in delivering this. That will be getting it right.”

TheCattleSite News Desk