Mnister set to launch new dairy code at event (From Evesham Journal)

Mnister set to launch new dairy code at event

3:00pm Sunday 2nd September 2012 in News

AGRICULTURE Minister Jim Paice will officially open Livestock 2012 next Tuesday, the first day of the two-day event at the NEC, Birmingham, organised by the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers.

Mr Paice is expected to launch the new voluntary code of practice on dairy contracts in his keynote speech, after which he will tour the event, which has a record 530 trade exhibitors, providing farmers with the opportunity to discuss the code’s implications and his take on other industry issues including the future for producer organisations as an option.

“With 90 per cent of exhibitors selling dairy products and services, dairying will remain the key focus, the first UK specialist business event to embrace all species – dairy, beef, sheep, goats, pigs and poultry, and scheduled to attract well over 16.000 visitors,” said RABDF chairman David Cotton.

“For dairy farmers in particular, the event will will offer them the chance to meet not only with processors and their respective farmer representatives to discuss the forthcoming season’s milk prices but, equally important, the time to catch up with nutrition companies to discuss winter feed options.”

He added: “In fact, all visitors will have the opportunity to approach our comprehensive range of exhibitors and take home technical and financial solutions that will contribute towards their unit’s cost savings and improving efficiency. Livestock 2012 is the event for doing business all under one roof in one day.”

•  Professor David Leaver is the new president of the RABDF, succeeding John Alvis who steps down after two years in the position.

Prof Leaver’s career spans 20 years in dairy research and a similar time in agricultural education.

He retired in 2007 as principal and chief executive of the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester, 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, a member of the government chief scientific adviser’s Food Research Partnership and also of the Commercial farmers Group.

Prof Leaver said: “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.