Farmers welcome decision to invest in dairy industry

Although there is still a long way to go before the project can begin, including the decision on whether the current building is refurbished or whether it should be relocated, many within the industry were excited to hear the States has backed the plan to safeguard both the Dairy and the 14 farms that rely on it to buy their milk.

Robert Waters runs La Petite Croute Farm and is on the board of directors for the Dairy as a farmers’ representative.

He said that as a dairy farmer news of the States’ decision, enabling the public of Guernsey to support the refurbishment or relocation of the Dairy, was very reassuring.

‘I can remember looking around the Dairy last time it was refurbished 30-something years ago,’ he said.

‘I’ve been farming since 1982, and like me, the island has a dedicated bunch of farmers who will take great encouragement from this decision.

‘We will look forward to producing milk for the next 30 years.’

He compared it with Randalls Brewery, which moved several years ago when it was upgraded, and said the £26m. investment for the Dairy would be extremely beneficial to see it move with the times.

‘It’s been a long time coming and it will be a long time before it happens again,’ he said.

‘The existing Dairy works but it’s been added to and added to over the years and now it’s starting to fall apart and although we’ve made the best of what we had, now is time to invest as the standards get higher.

‘We know now is not the best time for asking for money but it needs doing and it will benefit the whole island.’

The Dairy in St Andrew’s was built in 1951 and it is considered unlikely that the current set-up will comply in the coming years with all the hygiene and food production regulations.

Dave Cowley, the president of the Guernsey Farmers’ Association, who runs La Gervaise Farm, was optimistic about the Dairy and consequently dairy farmers’ futures.

‘Further research is needed before a there’s a spade in the ground as it’s still early days, but it’s great to be finally given the green light for the funding,’ he said.

‘Hopefully we’ll be able to maintain the quality and the environment.

‘We’re very fortunate to have the Guernsey cow, so long may it continue.’

However, one ex-farmer, who did not wish to be named, said the island has seen a decrease in farmers from around 130 in 1999 to the current 14 remaining dairy farms – with about 1,400 milking cows which graze 8,000 vergees of field, making up one-fifth of the island’s mass – therefore the amount of money requested was excessive.

‘It’s a lot of money,’ said the ex-farmer of 40 years.

‘In my opinion the money could used better elsewhere and especially at a time when the Covid-19 crisis is going on, we as taxpayers are paying for it and we don’t know what’s round the corner.’