The NFU’s new national dairy board chairman Mansel Raymond will be in the North East next week to meet local dairy farmers and discuss the changing situation on milk prices.
Mr Raymond was elected to the top job in February when former dairy board chairman Gwyn Jones became NFU Vice President. This will be his first trip to the North East and he says there is a lot to discuss in a region so hard hit by last year’s collapse of Dairy Farmers of Britain.
“Dairy commodity prices are accelerating rapidly and at long last there have been some positive movements in some farmgate milk prices,” he said. “However a number of questions still need to be asked of processors who have yet to announce a price increase or who have not yet gone far enough.
“Dairy farmers are feeling more confident about their future prospects, according to the latest survey by DairyCo, but as producers in the North East know only too well, confidence can drop like a stone if expectations of better returns fail to materialise.
“I’m very much looking forward to my trip to the North East – it will give me a great opportunity to talk to local producers and make sure that the work of the NFU’s national board reflects their aspirations and priorities.”
Mansel will be attending the next meeting of the regional dairy board, due to take place on Monday 17 May at the Black Swan Hotel in Pickering from 7.30pm.
He will also be accompanied by national dairy adviser Sian Davies, who is currently working on the NFU’s animal health and welfare strategy. Sian will provide an update for members on this important area of work.
The meeting is open to all NFU members.
No comments have been made.