Challenge from Dairy Sector to Make a Difference
UK - The dairy industry will need to collaborate and governments will need to step in to help the sector become more competitive if it is to meet global demand.
25 April 2014
2 minute read
Dairy UK chief executive, Dr Judith Bryans, speaking at the Trehane Trust Scholars Dinner on Thursday said that the dairy industry worldwide will need to increase production dramatically if it is to meet the demands of a growing population by 2050.
At present the global dairy industry produces 740 million tonnes of dairy products annually and this figure will have to nearly double to meet global demand.
“We need more collaboration in the dairy industry than ever,” said Dr Bryans.
“Food security is going to be a real issue.”
Dr Bryans added that the European milk sector is going to have to enhance its focus if it is going to help meet the global increase in demand.
“We need collaboration to build a dairy industry that is globally competitive and we need help from the government,” Dr Bryans added.
“We need government to reduce red tape.
“We will be challenging government to tell us where dairy makes a difference.”
Next week, Dairy UK is to launch a marketing and development campaign to promote the sector in Dairy Makes a Difference.
This year the Trehane Trust is sponsoring a number of members of the industry to study a range of issues to help the sector improve efficiency, sustainability and profitability.
Among the Trehane Scholars, Jason Vickery is studying lowering farm costs to prosper in a global market, Robert Thornhill is looking at forages and grazing techniques, for sustainable pasture based dairying, Andrew Brewer is investigating how the dairy sector can encourage and retain high quality people into the sector, Johnny Alvis is looking at maximising dairy farming profitability using limited resources and vet Rob Drysdale is looking at the future of beef from the dairy herd.
