Dairy UK, a group that represents the dairy industry in the UK, has asked the British government to put in place structures to boost exports, which it says offer a huge opportunity for the sector.
Defra Secretary of State Andrea Leadsom was present at a meeting hosted by AHDB Dairy and attended by Dairy UK, at which the challenges and opportunities facing the sector following the recent Brexit vote were discussed.
At the meeting, Dr Judith Bryans, chief executive of Dairy UK, said, “The industry has been working hard to develop dairy exports and unlock new opportunities with countries around the world. The strategy we published earlier this year set out the necessary next steps to help the UK dairy industry take its proper place on the global market and we have already made significant progress working with Defra.
“However, with 80% of our dairy exports going to EU countries, it is absolutely vital that we should maintain our access to the EU market without any tariff or non-tariff barriers. The Government needs to maintain continuity and avoid any disruptions to existing trade partnerships.
“If we want to remain competitive, we need a level playing field with our European and global partners.”
© 2016 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Stephen Wynne-Jones. To subscribe to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine, click here.
