Black-and-white breeders call for one society

08 August 1997

Black-and-white breeders call for one society

By Jeremy Hunt

LEADING dairy breeders are planning a coup to overthrow the Holstein Friesian Society and create a new, single, breed society for all black-and-white cattle.

Frustrated at the HFSs failure to merge with the British Holstein Society, resulting in duplication for the many breeders who register cattle with both societies, 70 dairy farmers have set up the Holstein 2000 action group.

They planned to force an extraordinary meeting of the HFS to put their proposal to the vote. But, in a surprise move, the HFS wrote to its 13,000 members on Monday to call its own EGM on October 7 to seek agreement for a merger with the BHS. The society has since agreed that the Holstein 2000 resolution can also be tabled at the meeting.

The Holstein 2000 action group wants to disband the HFS and sell its Rickmansworth offices, estimated to be worth £1.5 million.