The NFU says the launch of the government’s new Dairy Export
Programme1, aimed at growing British dairy exports, is
a significant boost for the sector and helps build on our
ambitious plans to double the value of British dairy exports over
the next 10 years.
Prime Minister first made the commitment for
a new £1m bespoke export programme during the Farm to Fork Summit
at 10 Downing Street in May. Today Minister for Exports officially launched the
programme during a visit to NFU member and cheese processor Lye
Cross Farm near Bristol.
The government funding will provide a range of targeted support
for UK dairy businesses to help them seize export opportunities
and access new markets. It will also add to the work of the AHDB
export team on trade promotion activity, including setting up
trade missions and a new UK dairy showcase, and education
sessions to support dairy businesses to grow their agri-food
exports.
Attending the launch at Lye Cross Farm, NFU dairy board chair
Michael Oakes said: “British dairy is a success story. We are an
ambitious and innovative sector, producing products such as milk,
cheese, yogurt, skimmed milk powder and butter to some of the
highest environmental and animal welfare standards in the world.
“Although the industry already exports over £2bn worth of dairy
and products such as whey to more than 135 countries, we have an
ambition to double that value within the next decade. As
set out in the NFU’s Dairy Export Strategy2, boosting
exports requires commitment and resource from government, working
in partnership with industry, to help create market opportunities
and enable growth.
“This funding commitment from government will boost on-going
market development work and support dairy specific trade
promotion We must continue to see joint industry and government
collaboration on reducing barriers to trade and improving market
access. It’s why we helped set up the Dairy Export
Taskforce, alongside industry partners, dairy producers and
government to grow the export of British products to the rest of
the world.
“It puts the UK dairy industry in a strong position to bolster
our global exports and help us to set a global standard when it
comes to trading sustainable, climate-friendly dairy products.”
-ends-
Notes to editor:
- Read more about the government’s Dairy Export Programme
here.
- Find out more on the NFU Dairy Exports Strategy here.
