UDV head resigns over conflicting views

Mr Jones, who was elected to the State’s top dairy lobby group early last year, said he was “pushed” to resign for a number of reasons after a council meeting in Colac last night.

Mr Jones said one of the reasons he was asked to step down related to an article in the group’s January ‘Hotline’ newsletter, which was also published in FarmOnline, about social licence, animal activists and animal welfare.

In the article, he wrote that times had changed, and the industry’s failure to keep up with the pace of technology and social media meant it was now a target for activists.

“What you and I might understand to be good practice, or even ‘best practice’ might not be viewed that way by others in the community who do not understand what we deal with nor how and why,” Mr Jones wrote in the newsletter.

“Also, practices which might make you and I turn away may make others in the community absolutely furious that animals could be treated in such a way, and in our modern world, it is very easy for them to share this anger, attract attention and gain support.”

He identified bobby calf handling, calving induction and animal destruction as areas that could be targeted, and specifically wote that calving induction should be "ceased".

After the UDV announcement of the resignation this morning, Mr Jones said: “There is a view that I was a risk to the reputation and relationships that UDV has with industry and also a view that I was starting conversations that challenge conventions and make people uncomfortable.”

He said he was surprised by what happened, and said the UDV had also told him they were concerned his “strong advocacy” was closing doors for the industry.

Mr Jones says the industry needs to be more proactive and forthright about animal welfare practices.

“UDV are uncomfortable about starting conversations about issues that are challenging and require change,” he said.

His comments follow the release of a report by animal welfare group, Voiceless, which is critical of Australian dairy industry practices.

“One of the things we saw in the Voiceless report is a call for a review of time off feed for bobby calf transport,” Mr Jones said.

“... But the industry hasn’t come out and said we spent quite a lot of time and research into time off feed issue that recommended the time off feed was reasonable.”

He said this had not been explained adequately to the industry or public.

“We’ve got to tell the whole story ... and the detail about the work we’ve done,” he said.

“We are not talking about it in an open and transparent way that helps inform the community that we are investing a lot of resources into how we are doing things better.

“Instead we’ve got a culture where people are scared to talk about these sorts of issues.”

South Purrumbete dairy farmer Adam Jenkins has been elected as the new UDV president by the council for the remainder of the term.

"Due to conflicting views between Mr Jones and the Council, that were unable to be reconciled, Mr Jones decided to resign," Mr Jenkins said in a statement this morning.

"The Council would like to recognise the strong leadership provided by Mr Jones during his time representing Victorian dairy farmers.”

UDV has been contacted for further comment.