AHDB Dairy provided a market update to the Board, covering the situation in wholesale markets, the global perspective and recent dairy trading activity. Whilst there are no current signals for improvement the Board continue to be deeply concerned for the sustainability of the sector and emphasise with all dairy farmers who are finding themselves in situations that are increasingly straining for their businesses and personal circumstances.
In the afternoon, the Livestock and Dairy Board came together, as they do annually to discuss disease and database issues together. The Boards were completely unanimous in that they want to see more action from Defra with implementing their 25 year TB eradication strategy. They agreed that this must include the roll-out of wildlife controls, as well as proportionate and evidence-based cattle measures.
The potential of the livestock data exchange hub, which is currently the subject of a feasibility study funded by the agri-tech strategy and AHDB, was also raised at the meeting. The potential of this was fiercely debated, as well as the need for proper data protection measures.