Green Light for Dairy Industry’s Recovery Plan

16 November 2006

Dairy industry representatives and producers are receiving presentations from International dairy consultants Promar International this week on their investigations into achieving a sustainable dairy industry for Jersey as part of a full consultation process with stakeholders.

The Promar report was jointly commissioned by the Chief Minister’s Department and the Dairy Scrutiny Panel to provide a comprehensive briefing on dairy issues to the Council of Ministers and States Members against which to consider issues such as the dairy relocation and alternative organisational structures. The dairy industry’s plan for recovery, as set out and agreed in the 2005 Rural Economy Strategy, as well as the recent States Strategic Plan, has been given a strong endorsement by Promar. Key features of the plan for a sustainable future are:-

• Create a modern, efficient dairy on a new site. Promar recommend the Howard Davis Farm site as planning permission and environmental impact reviews are already in place.
• Rapidly develop export markets for added value dairy products
• Continue to drive through efficiencies, on farm and in the dairy, so as to reduce the price to the consumer and to be able to withstand milk imports in the longer term.
• Improve the genetic status of the island herd as part of this efficiency drive by allowing the importation of pure Jersey semen.

Promar have recommended that the industry move, over time, to a voluntary cooperative structure with the Jersey Milk Marketing Board eventually being replaced by this arrangement.

Senator Frank Walker said "Jersey cows in green fields are a defining feature of our landscape and I am determined to maintain Government support to create a viable industry that can contribute to the Island’s economic growth. Jersey cows are not only dear to the hearts of local people, they are one of the island's unique selling points and dairy products represent a valuable export opportunity, which - if encouraged to grow - will restore pride in the dairy industry and contribute to delivering the States’ commitments of diversifying and strengthening the economy as well as enhancing our beautiful countryside."

The Promar report is an important step to achieving a sustainable future for the dairy industry and I am committed to carrying through the necessary changes and providing support and assistance where necessary".

Deputy Alan Breckon’s dairy scrutiny panel has been working in tandem to ensure that the scrutiny process can be dovetailed into the development of new and realistic policies.

Speaking after hearing the briefing from Promar, Deputy Breckon said "I have been impressed by the thoroughness of the investigation carried out by Promar. The views of all stakeholders, from producers to consumers, have been sought and listened to. The Scrutiny Panel have received some evidence on the subject to date. Following this round of briefings a final report will be published and the panel will be hearing further comments at that point, by holding a series of hearings provisionally planned for 11th, 12th & 13th December 2006, which will form part of our report and conclusions on this matter. It should be stressed that, notwithstanding the excellent co-operation received by the Scrutiny Panel, it reserves the right to take an independent view of the Report and, as part of the Scrutiny process, will be evaluating the views and evidence adduced by all the key stakeholders."

• Promar International is a specialist agricultural and food consulting company and has a particularly strong level of expertise in the Uk and International dairy sector.

• Promar briefed the Chief Minister, Scrutiny and Dairy industry representatives on Monday. The Council of Ministers will be briefed on Friday morning followed by dairy producers on Friday afternoon.

• An Executive Summary of the draft Promar report is appended. A final report will be completed in early December following this round of consultation.

Senator Frank Walker 445501

Deputy Alan Breckon 618532

Andrew le Gallais 07797 722402

To read the Executive Summary of the Promar Report Please Click here