Michael Masters, DCD Company Secretary, Dairy Crest Direct, Edgarley Farm, Glastonbury, Somerset, BA6 8LE. www.dairycrestdirect.co.uk Tel: 01458 835060 Fax: 01458 833007 Mob: 07729788767 Email m.masters@dairycrestdirect.co.uk Dairy Crest MullerWiseman Announcement - 6th November 2014 Following the news this week, DCD supports the Dairy Crest 'Dairies' sale and the proposed new combined liquid business as a much needed and positive move to improve sustainability in this sector. That said, this announcement is still subject to Dairy Crest Shareholder and Competition Authority approval which may yet take many months to complete. Throughout this transitionary period, DCD commits to represent our members with all parties involved to deliver a successful outcome. Davidstow member's contracts and DCD representation will not be impacted by the proposed Dairies sale. DCD welcomes the assurances provided by MullerWiseman that all members with existing Liquid contracts will not be affected by the proposed Dairy Crest sale. It is also important and reassuring to DCD that MullerWiseman also shares Dairy Crest's principles in working with electorally accountable and independent dairy farmer representatives, and that it's contracts are Voluntary Code compliant. In the meantime, DCD will continue to work with Dairy Crest as well as continuing to pursue our Defra/RDPE Dairy Fund projects, a) into structure/contracts evolution, b) in advancing Dairy Futures opportunities, and c) in the development of our milk production forecasting tool. DCD had already arranged member workshops across DCD regions to be held during the next month to support our Johnes Disease initiative, led by specialist vets. These sessions will obviously now contain a broader agenda including the acquisition news as well as the current dairy markets and milk price situation. DCD JOHNES MEETINGS/WORKSHOPS - NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 Wed 12 Nov 11:00 Thethorne Park, Kennards House, Cornwall, PL15 8QE Wed 12 Nov 7:20 Plume of Feathers, Mitchell, Cornwall, TR8 5AX Thu 13 Nov 11:00 Falcon Hotel, Bude, Cornwall, EX23 8SD Mon 24 Nov 11:00 Sedgemoor Market, North Petherton, Somerset, TA6 6DF Mon 24 Nov 7:20 Eastbury Hotel, Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 3BY Wed 26 Nov 7:20 Regency Park Hotel, Thatcham, Berkshire, RG18 3BY Thu 27 Nov 11:00 The Forge, St Clears, Carmarthen, SA33 4NA Thu 27 Nov 7:20 Gables Hotel, Falfield, Gloucestershire, GL12 8DL Tue 2 Dec 11:00 Pear Tree Hotel, Smite, Worcestershire, WR3 8SY Tue 2 Dec 7:20 Glebe Hotel, Barford, Warwickshire, CV35 8BS Wed 3 Dec 11:00 Tillington Hall Hotel, Eccleshall, Staffordshire, ST16 1JJ Wed 3 Dec 7:20 Hilton House Hotel, Hilton, Derbyshire, DE65 5GP Thu 4 Dec 11:00 Bentley Hotel, South Hykeham, Lincolnshire, LN6 9NH Thu 4 Dec 7:20 Scole Inn, Diss, Norfolk, IP21 4DR Refreshments will be served BEFORE each of the evening sessions from 7:20, and following each day time session. Hope to see you there. Finally, your DCD Director and Forum Representatives will be meeting Mark Allen and the full Dairy Crest Executive Team on 21st November for a "Farmer Forum". This session will now be of even greater importance for our collective supply chains following this news. Please do keep in touch with your Forum Representatives. Yours sincerely, The Directors of DCD Please see the respective Dairy Crest and MullerWiseman letters below.