7 April 2010

2 minute read

Europe

The main beneficiaries of the project will be dairy farmers who will benefit from advice, support and information on issues ranging from energy efficiency to maximising production efficiency and profits.

The project, funded by the Supply Chain Efficiencies scheme (SCE) through the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013, will be delivered by two project partners in Coleg Sir Gâr and DairyCo and is a major step forward in the provision of information and support for Welsh dairy farmers.

The Minister for Rural Affairs, Elin Jones says: “Promoting collaborative working practices, improving supply chain linkages and ensuring the sharing of best practice amongst producers will be essential in enabling the industry to work more efficiently.

“The dairy industry is vitally important to the Welsh economy, and I am conscious of the pressures the industry currently faces. Through co-operation we will be able to secure a sustainable, efficient and innovative Welsh dairy sector.”

Coleg Sir Gâr’s Dairy Development Centre Manager, John Griffiths, explains: “This additional funding will enable us to deliver a number of innovative services to the dairy sector over and above those available through Farming Connect. We have developed the project in consultation with producers and processors so we are confident that its uptake will go some way towards assisting producers improve business efficiency.”

Delyth Davies, Head of Dairy Development Wales at DairyCo adds: “This level of investment in the industry demonstrates how much work has gone into building the partnership approach in delivery to the dairy sector. I’m looking forward to ensuring that Welsh dairy farmers receive constructive support and information to develop their businesses.”

The project will also achieve the objectives as set out in the Dairy Industry Strategic Action Plan for the Welsh Dairy Industry and will support the development of the Welsh Dairy Roadmap which highlights environmental, animal health and welfare, supply chain and production considerations.

Terrig Morgan, Chairman of the Dairy Strategy Group said: “This initiative is welcomed by the industry and is a key area of work for the Dairy Strategy Group. The dairy industry is extremely competitive and this initiative will give the sector the support it requires to ensure it can compete in a global market and we look forward to seeing the positive results it will bring.”

The SCE Scheme operates through the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013, which is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in Rural Areas.

The SCE scheme provides financial support for co-operation projects that will develop new products, processes and technologies in the agriculture, food and forestry sectors.

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