National Dairy Week 2009, the celebration of dairy and its health and nutritional benefits for people of all ages, is being welcomed by leaders across the UK. The week starts on February 2nd.

Jane Kennedy, Minister for Farming and the Environment, said: “UK dairy farmers are doing great work often in very tough circumstances. National Dairy Week is an excellent opportunity for all of us to celebrate the industry’s many achievements. They produce high quality milk, yoghurt, cheese and butter which are important to our diet, whilst cutting the environmental impact of the industry through the pioneering dairy roadmap.”

Dr Judith Bryans, Director of the Dairy Council and Registered Nutritionist, whose organisation initiated the week, said: “The Dairy Council is proud to champion National Dairy Week, which we have organised as a dedicated time to focus on the positives about dairy. Dairy foods are an economical source of nutrition and have contributed greatly to the British diet throughout the centuries. National Dairy Week gives us the opportunity to talk about the goodness of dairy foods, and to celebrate the role of dairy in British history, as well as the role The Dairy Council has played over the years, albeit under different names, in promoting milk, cheese and yogurt as part of a healthy balanced diet.”