Dairy farmers in Kintyre have committed to work with their milk buyer First Milk to secure the long term future for the creamery and milk production in the area.
At a meeting of NFU Scotland’s Kintyre branch, held on Tuesday 7 April, around 40 members turned out to discuss the difficult situation within the sector at the moment and to look at what can be done to drive positive change.
NFU Scotland President Allan Bowie, who chaired the meeting, listened to producer concerns and ideas, and agreed to relay those back in person to First Milk officials.
Milk production and the creamery at Campbeltown are hugely important to the economy of the area. The future of the creamery has received a boost with £450,000 funding recently secured from Scottish Government to install badly-needed new boilers within the plant.
Backing their product, the new ‘Kintyre Cheese? Yes Please!’ campaign was launched by local farmers on Tuesday to encourage the region to keep supporting dairy farmers and buy local cheese.
With recent appointment of Mike Gallacher as the new Chief Executive of First Milk; there is a desire from the local dairy farmers to continue to work with First Milk. However, producers seek significant improvements in their relationship with the company and want a more open and transparent dialogue with First Milk going forward.
NFU Scotland representatives were joined by First Milk director Jim Baird, and Fergus Younger of Argyll Agricultural Forum for the meeting, held in Campbeltown.
The main objectives to take forward to from the meeting were:
• To continue with the new campaign and push for a re-branding of Mull of Kintyre Cheddar, with a strategic marketing plan drawn up by First Milk that targets local markets and also sales nationally and internationally.
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• To work with First Milk and ensure the promised investment from the Scottish Government in Campbeltown Creamery is put in place as quickly as possible.
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• To continue to support First Milk in its efforts to turn around the current milk pricing situation as quickly as possible and meet with the new Chief Executive in the immediate future.
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At the meeting, Mr Younger presented a scenario planning report, which had been requested by local dairy farmers at a meeting earlier this year. The report looked at the long-term options for the future of the creamery. While it scoped out several potential scenarios for the future of the Campbeltown plant, it was agreed that the short-term focus remain on keeping the creamery open and working with First Milk to build the Mull of Kintyre brand. That was regarded as the best approach to ensure dairy farming continues to be sustainable and thrive in Kintyre.
David Bolt, NFU Scotland’s Kintyre Branch chairman commented: “There are lots of positives that have come out of the meeting. There was a strong representation from all the farmers in Kintyre, expressing disappointment at the current turmoil within the milk industry. However, a lot of good suggestions were brought to the floor. We want to work with First Milk, get more clarity on the current situation and look for it to improve its communication with its members.
“We hope in the longer term that First Milk will deliver on all the promises and agreements that have been made in the past.
“We look forward to working with the new chief executive Mike Gallacher and want to welcome him to Kintyre to experience first-hand the passion and enthusiasm the farmers here have for the future of dairying, not only in Kintyre, but also in Scotland. We want milking cows to be part of our farming landscape for generations to come.”
NFU Scotland President Allan Bowie commented: “This was a positive meeting, and the local farmers justifiably want to push for more effective marketing of the great cheese they make here.
“The response from local shoppers to the samples of Mull of Kintyre cheddar we provided today backs that up. They are saying ‘Yes Please’ to Kintyre cheese, and we need First Milk to do more to ensure that Scottish, UK and international consumers have the chance to buy this fantastic quality cheese.
“Going forward, investment in the creamery needs to start as soon as possible, and we all need to work on how we take Mull of Kintyre cheddar further. Producers have some great ideas, and we need them to be effectively channelled to First Milk.”
