Lobbying & Consultations
We know that having your voice heard is sometimes the most important priority.
We influence and lobby government and policymakers through our joint secretariat of the Dairy All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) with Dairy UK, our Royal associations, our new Policy Conference held in conjunction with The Trehane Trust, and our extensive reach into the dairy supply chain.
Our concerns for the next few years include continued access to skilled overseas labour in a post-Brexit UK, and working with vets, the supply trade and the Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance to help reduce use of antibiotics throughout dairy farming in a supported and responsible manner.
Our collaboration with specialists such as our HR consultant and University of Bristol will add weight and credence to our arguments.
Consultation responses
- The Association is run by a team of practical dairy farmers who are nominated and elected by the RABDF members. Together, we ensure dairy farmers views and concerns are represented at regular meetings that take place with government officials, MPs, retailers, processors and other agricultural organisations. This involvement also ensures that we are constantly in touch with any policies being considered.
- RABDF participates in a large number of industry groups, including the Dairy Supply Chain Forum, Dairy2020 , The Prince’s Rural Action Programme- Business in the Community –Dairy Initiative , CHECS , Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture (RUMA), the Environmental Plan for Dairy Farming and the England Cattle Health and Welfare Group, Dairy Comms Group, This is Dairy Farming, Dairy Science Forum, Dairy Sustainability Framework.
- Following the July 2008 Defra non-decision against a cull of badgers to help control the spread of bovine tuberculosis RABDF have signed up to an Industry Stakeholder agreement and will continue to lobby on behalf of the dairy farmer to ensure that bTB is eradicted from the UK herd.
