Free event will help dairy farmers face new environmental rules

2:02pm Friday 9th May 2008

A SPECIAL conference is being held to help dairy farmers meet tough new environmental legislation.

The northern regions of the National Farmers' Union have joined forces with the Environment Agency to stage a free, half-day conference at The Pavilions, Harrogate, on Tuesday, May 20.

It will explore how all those involved in providing professional advice to the dairy industry - from banks to retailers - can help producers meet ever increasing environmental targets.

The challenges are immense.

The NFU's chief dairy adviser has predicted that forthcoming nitrate vulnerable zone legislation has the potential to put more dairy farmers out of business than rock-bottom milk prices.

Laurie Norris, environment and land-use adviser with the North- East NFU, believes everyone interested in achieving a vibrant, profitable industry must get involved.

She said: "The onus is on everyone to make sure they understand the issues facing our dairy industry and the potential impact of tighter environmental regulations, at a time when dairy farmers are already facing spiralling input costs.

"Last week saw the launch of Defra's new Milk Roadmap and last year the industry's Environmental Plan for Dairy Farming was published.

"Both these initiatives put environmental considerations at the top of the dairy agenda, but while the aim is to be ambitious, we must remember that profitability is essential if farmers are to deliver the required improvements.

"It's also vital that the challenge is taken up by the whole supply chain and wider industry, and that's what this conference is all about."

Iain McDonell, agricultural policy adviser with the Environment Agency, welcomed the joint approach.

He said: "If we approach this challenge in a fragmented way, with different elements doing different things in different ways, we will never achieve the successful outcomes we need.

"Only by working together will we get a broad understanding not just of the issues but of best practice solutions being developed across the industry."

The speakers include Martin Coward, agriculture director with HSBC; Emma Rutter, Tesco agriculture manager for dairy; and Hayley Campbell-Gibbons, NFU chief dairy adviser.

Two dairy farmers from Lancashire and Yorkshire will provide a first-hand view of how the industry is already responding.

The conference runs from 10am until 1pm and is free. Places must be booked by next Friday on 01904-451-550 or at north.east@nfuonline.com.