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Dairy Supply Chain Forum background

Dairy Supply Chain Forum background

Established in July 2002 to help address some of the issues affecting the dairy sector raised by Sir Don Curry's Policy Commission. These related to encouraging supply chain co-operation, increasing efficiency and promoting the sustainable development of industry.

Lord Rooker currently chairs the forum, with the secretariat functions being provided by Defra. The forum has representatives from key parts of the dairy supply chain: the farming, processing, retail, and food industry sectors as well as Government. It currently meets on a twice-yearly basis.

In 2006, after consultation with the industry it was decided the structure of the forum would be revised to take new challenges into account. As a result, the sub-groups were disbanded and two taskforces were formed to take forward specific challenges for 2007/2008:

Former sub-groups:


CAP Reform Sub-group

A small technical working group set up to examine the impact of CAP Reform on the dairy industry. The group was chaired by Defra. Its membership was drawn from the farming, co-operative, processing and retail sectors. The main objectives of the group were to:  

  • consider the implications for the English dairy industry of CAP reform
  • review options for implementation of reform, including possible early decoupling and to ensure decisions were taken on the basis of a common understanding
  • assess the likely strengths and weaknesses of the national industry in meeting the challenges of reform, and advise on how the former might be maximised and the latter positively addressed.

Industry Development Sub-group

This was chaired by Peter Walker of Arla Foods UK, with the secretariat provided by the National Farmers Union. It drew membership from all parts of the dairy supply chain at senior levels.

The aim of this Sub-group was to facilitate the long term sustainable development of the dairy supply chain, The desired outcomes were to:

  • identify and examine challenges facing the dairy sector and to recognise how the industry might develop and meet them
  • prepare individual business to make informed decisions on how to address these challenges, rather than providing a prescriptive 'blueprint' for the sector.

Market Innovations Sub-group

This was chaired by Brian Peacock of the Milk Development Council (MDC). The sub-group's membership was drawn from all parts of the supply chain as well as colleges, training organisations, consultancies and the food industry. The MISG sought to gain a wide number of participants through organising workshops to examine various themes on product and market development and innovation, although a smaller steering group was set up to manage the programme of work and advise on the needs of the industry. 

The main objective was to stimulate and co-ordinate innovation for the development of British dairy products by creating a forum for the exchange of market information and ideas that anticipate consumer needs.

Page last modified: 7 December 2007

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