A help or hindrance?

[Jackov Altraids]

You may have missed this post;

An open letter to the UK dairy industry

Ruminant sector unites in vision for improved dairy cattle welfare by 2028 We are calling on everyone involved in the UK dairy sector – from farmers and vets, to advisers, and milk processors – to unite in support of the new UK Dairy Cattle Welfare Strategy for 2023-2028. The strategy...

thefarmingforum.co.uk

You may think it only affects dairy;

"The dairy welfare strategy is part of a wider body of work at RH&W to facilitate and create welfare strategies for the whole UK ruminant sector – sheep and beef
cattle ones will follow in due course."

You may wonder if it will affect you, these are the supporting organisations;

and "RH&W communications is sponsored by MSD Animal Health and AHDB".

So do you think this will help or hinder you?

 

[wrenbird]

How big is the bill going to be to farmers? The primary producer always seems to be the one paying for others grand ideas and innovations.

 

[Jackov Altraids]

How big is the bill going to be to farmers? The primary producer always seems to be the one paying for others grand ideas and innovations.

I think you will find that directly or indirectly, farmers will be paying for it.

And will farmers benefit?. . . . .

"Launched in June 2023, the UK Dairy Cattle Welfare strategy, produced by Ruminant Health & Welfare and supported by a host of industry leaders and organisations across the whole farm to fork supply chain, is designed to help the UK dairy sector demonstrate progress in six key areas of cow welfare over the next five years.

Being able to show our progress is key to the UK maintaining its status as a global leader in dairy cattle welfare, and potentially being able to differentiate our products from those produced in other countries."

Yet again, their is the hint of a promise for better returns via high value exports or reduced imports but the government always makes sure it doesn't happen.

 

[unlacedgecko]

You may have missed this post;

An open letter to the UK dairy industry

Ruminant sector unites in vision for improved dairy cattle welfare by 2028 We are calling on everyone involved in the UK dairy sector – from farmers and vets, to advisers, and milk processors – to unite in support of the new UK Dairy Cattle Welfare Strategy for 2023-2028. The strategy...

thefarmingforum.co.uk

You may think it only affects dairy;

"The dairy welfare strategy is part of a wider body of work at RH&W to facilitate and create welfare strategies for the whole UK ruminant sector – sheep and beef
cattle ones will follow in due course."

You may wonder if it will affect you, these are the supporting organisations;

View attachment 1118589

and "RH&W communications is sponsored by MSD Animal Health and AHDB".

So do you think this will help or hinder you?

MSD Animal Health are an input supplier. Doubtless they will be wanting us to buy their products "to maintain health and improve welfare".

I think this will hinder me.

 

[unlacedgecko]

I think you will find that directly or indirectly, farmers will be paying for it.

And will farmers benefit?. . . . .

"Launched in June 2023, the UK Dairy Cattle Welfare strategy, produced by Ruminant Health & Welfare and supported by a host of industry leaders and organisations across the whole farm to fork supply chain, is designed to help the UK dairy sector demonstrate progress in six key areas of cow welfare over the next five years.

Being able to show our progress is key to the UK maintaining its status as a global leader in dairy cattle welfare, and potentially being able to differentiate our products from those produced in other countries."

Yet again, their is the hint of a promise for better returns via high value exports or reduced imports but the government always makes sure it doesn't happen.

More barriers to market access.

 

[Jackov Altraids]

I really would appreciate any other thoughts, but to me this absolutely represents why our industry is failing.
All the supporting organisations who say they represent farmers yet they are simply forcing farmers to participate in what will essentially be a data-harvesting exercise for which they may all see a benefit, except the primary producer as always.

 

[Jackov Altraids]

And 1 more point.

If all these organisations that have our best interests at heart, can get together and organise this, why the hell can't they get together and produce a document showing that ruminants are not causing climate change?

The evidence is available, it just needs collating and to be well presented.

But then, that would be good for the primary producer and maybe not so much in it for them. . . . . . . . .

 

[Jackov Altraids]

I was expecting someone to point out I'm being a subversive and cynical idiot and that this is a fantastic opportunity to increase the welfare of UK ruminants and lead the world in productivity and profitability.

But then, what do they mean when they say "the UK maintaining its status as a global leader in [ruminant] welfare"
The most vaccinated?
The most profitable?
The greatest longevity?
Or simply the driver for selling their products internationally rather than ours.