What that might mean for dairy’s future in the VFF structure remains to be seen but dairy industry statesman Noel Campbell who will head an Australian Dariy Farmers (ADF) restructure committee said that had not been brought on by the failed efforts to reform the VFF constitution.

United Dairyfarmers of Victoria (UDV) members were suspicious of the changes proposed for the VFF constitution and mobilise sufficient of its members to block the 75 per cent support required for approval.

Dairy farmers at that meeting voiced their concerns about the motives behind the VFF proposal, the inaccuracy of the drafting process and the implications that might have for UDV members and their accumulated assets.

But Mr Campbell said the dairy industry had its own problems with some states unable to fund their ADF subscriptions at this time.

“All agricultural advocacy is under enormous stress and we have to try and find a different model.

“There is a lot of overlap of resources and we have to try and do things better,” he said.

Mr Campbell, the former chairman of Bonlac, will head the ADF committee with assistance from former agricultural economist Rick Lacey, with a brief to develop a possible structure for industry approval by mid year.

ADF says most of the issues faced by dairy farmers are national in nature and include emissions trading, environment (including water), animal welfare, trade and market access, food safety standards and relations with quarantine and similar bodies.

Also critically important was the need for stronger and more effective use of funds sourced from dairy farmers, understanding and building grass roots membership and participation, consistency in representation between states, a single dairy voice to government and other authorities and strengthened relations with Dairy Australia and the Australian Dairy Industry Authority.

The aim, says the ADF, was to deliver a structure that enhanced national, state and regional dairy advocacy and stronger state agricultural bodies that offer a broad range of additional benefits and services.