Nocton Dairies Ltd - unwelcome headlines

Escalating pressure

More unwelcome headlines for Nocton Dairies, prior to their resubmission of the planning application for the UK's largest intensive dairy.

Lincolnshire Echo

Poll shows that shoppers are ready to boycott milk from super-dairies
http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/news/WSPA-poll-shows-shoppers-ready-boycott-super-dairy-milk/article-2590003-detail/article.html

... and the publicity isn't just limited to local newspapers either.

Farmer's Guardian

Protesters rally against Nocton super-dairy
http://www.farmersguardian.com/home/hot-topics/super-dairies/protesters-rally-against-nocton-super-dairy/33961.article

If you missed this on the TV yesterday, you can view it here:

Not In My Cuppa campaign launch
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYuJrYXMiOU

It seems Nocton Dairies have finally realised they need the services of a public relations company... and based on their record to date, it won't be difficult to make some improvement.

Looking at the responses within the article, one can perhaps see the influence of the new PR company http://www.oxtale.co.uk/ at work. This company are now fully engaged in trying to improve the dairy consortium's public image. Another example here too:

The Londoneer
http://ht.ly/2ynDg

I believe this new positive spin is being targeted to gain public favour just before the next planning application is submitted, but will you be won over... for me... 'Not In My Cuppa' folks!

Finally, if you are a local resident likely to be affected by the building of this intensive dairy, you may want to know Nocton Dairies has issued an invite to all local residents to set up a Liaison Committee. If you wish to have some influence about how things unfold over the next couple of months, please consider the information in the next paragraph.

I have obtained the Terms of Reference from Amy Jackson at Oxtale Public Relations and have forwarded these to our local Parish Councils with full details. You will need to contact your local Councillors if you are interested in getting involved and wish to be considered.

The full Terms of Reference are here to enable you to make up your mind:

Draft Terms of Reference

Proposed Nocton Dairies Community Liaison Committee

Aims
The proposed liaison committee would aim to:

1. Provide a two-way channel of communication between the proposers of and consultants for the Nocton Dairies plan, and the local communities surrounding the proposed site
2. Ensure local residents are updated about imminent developments, changes and other information regarding the proposal, in a timely way
3. Create a forum in which issues can be raised about the proposal by the community representatives on behalf of residents. These issues need not be confined to those covered by planning regulations, and the proposers would welcome discussion about any aspect of the plan. The Nocton Dairies team would undertake to address all questions raised; if a response could not be provided at the meeting itself then the aim would be to provide one within a timescale agreed by all parties
4. Improve the effectiveness of communication through a better understanding of what and where information is required, and in what form in is required, as advised by the community representatives.

Benefits
The benefit of the liaison committee to the community is that it provides a genuine opportunity to understand the proposal and weigh up its pros and cons in a fully informed light. The Nocton dairies team isn’t seeking to influence a verdict through this committee, but it would like the community to be able to make a decision (or objection, if need be) based on the full facts, which, to date, have been poorly communicated at its own admission.

Membership
Chair: to be agreed by all but preferably with experience of chairing meetings and producing constructive, tangible outcomes. Neutrality is not obligatory but objectivity is. Wondered whether a local church minister or MP might be willing?

Parish Council representatives: propose from Dunston, Nocton and Metheringham Parish Councils, to represent their parishioners’ and council’s views.

Other community representatives: as agreed by the community itself. Potentially between four or five individuals who have concerns or reflect concerns in the community?

Nocton Dairies representatives: Peter Willes, David Barnes, Amy Jackson (consultant); also potentially Robert Howard and Graeme Surtees (consultant),

Management and reporting
The Nocton Dairies team is happy to provide Amy’s services to arrange meetings and take minutes (which would be subject to the agreement of all), but equally a member of the community can be appointed if that is desired. Minutes will be circulated to all committee members and once approved, can be published on the Nocton Dairies website for all to access.

Frequency of meetings
To be decided by the committee to meet its requirements and those of the communities represented, but the Nocton Dairies team suggests a meeting week commencing 6 September (maybe 9/10?) then one a fortnight later if necessary would be beneficial to start with. It may be that if holding a large open meeting was desirable between the two liaison committee meetings, the committee could report back on how well the information needs of the community had been met at that meeting.

Costs
If reasonable costs are incurred in hosting the meetings, such as coffee/tea and room bookings, then the Nocton Dairies team agrees to pay for these, but does so on the understanding this is without prejudice and not with the intention of influencing any opinion.

Other articles of interest

Earlier today, I was sent this link to an article written more than 10 years ago about the milk industry. It has to beg a question why the dairy industry hasn't been able to put its house in order all these years later?

Dairy farmers rally in London
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/678134.stm

Bold action is needed to protect the diversity of life on Earth

Instead of spending taxpayers' money propping up factory farms, UK government should support planet-friendly farming
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/cif-green/2010/sep/01/biodiversity-factory-farming

Why you should NEVER trust labels on food:

'Fresh' food that isn't fresh. 'Natural' colours that are chemicals and 'real' fruit juice that only 5 per cent fruit
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1307871/Never-trust-labels-food-Fresh-food-isnt-fresh-unnatural-colours-false-fruit-juice.html