OCTOBER 20 was World osteoporosis day. The incidence of osteoporosis around the world is increasing but its rise in the UK is alarming.

In this country there are now three million sufferers of this disease which is virtually double the level it was only a generation ago. Obviously, this places a massive burden on the already overstretched NHS. Last year the money the NHS spent treating these three million sufferers was equivalent to the total estimated cost of hosting the Olympic Games in London in 2012.

Of course, there is a consensus amongst medical professionals that this rise in osteoporosis is partly caused by a reduction of milk and dairy products in the diet. Doctors say that teenagers and adults should have three small portions of milk and dairy products a day to maximise their intake of calcium and keep their bodies healthy although worryingly over half are failing to do this. In large part this is contributing to the massive rise in this condition which it is feared will only get worse over the next decade.

It must be remembered that calcium is not the only benefit of dairy products - they also contains phosphorous, magnesium and protein amongst others.

Let us hope that a large number of people take this serious message on board about the importance of consuming dairy products as a result of World Osteoporosis Day.

On Monday, October 8, Devon WFU held its AGM at Clyst St George Village Hall near Exeter. It was an extremely good day with a good number of people in attendance.

The visiting speaker was Jane Davey, who gave a fascinating and entertaining account of life in Norway - particularly in the north of that country.

As always, if you share our passion for British farming and food and would like to become a member of the WFU or would like to find out more about the campaigning work we do, then we are keen to hear from you. If you would like to find out more information, then please call our secretary, Ann Cross, on 01398 361212.