18 June 2009

Help at hand for region's dairy farmers

Business Link Northwest and the NWDA have stepped in to support dairy farmers in the region affected by the collapse of Dairy Farmers of Britain (DFoB).

The Cheshire-based co-operative went into receivership on June 3 affecting a number of North West dairy farmers.

Business Link Northwest is working closely with the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) and receivers PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) to ensure a co-ordinated and rapid response to those farmers in difficulty.

Business Link has partnered with the NFU to identify and immediately target cluster groups of farmers who may be in need of support. Former DFoB members can access expert business support from Business Link brokers, who are specialists in the food and drink sector. The brokers will engage with any farmers facing difficulty and help them with key issues such as cash flow and business planning.

The NWDA is liaising with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to push through support measures and both agencies are working with the NFU and PWC to help all affected farmers find buyers for their milk.

While many of the North West dairy farmers affected have been able to secure new contracts for their milk with alternative dairies, some in more remote locations in South West Cumbria have not, leaving them in a vulnerable position.

There are 420 dairy farmers in the North West. Over the last two years Business Link has engaged with 24 per cent on varying issues. The majority of dairy farmers across the North West are small businesses, employing nought to four people and the total turnover across the business is typically £90 to 400k. Forty two per cent of North West dairy farmers are located in Cumbria

Peter Watson, managing director of Business Link Northwest, said the organisation would do all it could to support the dairy farmers at this critical time. He said: “Our team of experienced business brokers will be working closely with any affected dairy farmers to offer free-to-use support and provide high quality guidance on a whole range of issues. Adequate financial forecasts are crucial for affected dairy farmers at this time and our brokers can help them to develop a plan that will see them through this difficult time.

“Dairy farms represent an important part of the North West economy and I would urge any farmers affected by the collapse of Dairy Farmers of Britain, who are experiencing difficulties, to contact Business Link Northwest for support.”

Mark Hughes, Executive Director, Economic Development, of the NWDA, said: “The good work that is going on between all the agencies involved to support the North West’s dairy farmers at this critical time is a fine example of partnership working. By working together we can more effectively assist the dairy farmers and help them through this difficult period.
“The NWDA is working hard in response to the current economic downturn, with a number of actions being taken to meet the needs of businesses during these challenging times.”

For more information on Business Link Northwest visit www.businesslink.gov.uk/northwest or call 0845 00 66 888.

-Ends-

Press enquiries to:

The Write Angle on 01772 250505
Laura Hutchings laura@writeanglepr.co.uk
Julie Cheston  julie@writeanglepr.co.uk

Notes to Editors:
Business Link Northwest is an impartial business support and information service, available to businesses and individuals in the Northwest.

The service is completely free to use and can be accessed via the telephone, online, or face-to-face for more in-depth support.

It provides relevant up-to-date information on business issues such as starting or expanding a business, managing people, marketing, finance, technology and exporting.

Regional Development Agencies across the UK assumed full responsibility for the management of the Business Link service in the regions from the Small Business Service in April 2005.

The new one-stop regional Business Link service (Business Link Northwest), managed by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), replaced five sub-regional Business Link organisations on 2nd April 2007.

The NWDA leads the economic development and regeneration of England's Northwest and is responsible for:
• Supporting business growth and encouraging investment
• Matching skills provision to employer needs
• Creating the conditions for economic growth
• Connecting the region through effective transport and communication infrastructure
• Promoting the region’s outstanding quality of life