The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) is to launch a ‘‘Love Dairy’’ campaign targeted at social media in the coming weeks in response to the growing criticism of the dairy industry from vegan campaigners.

January saw a month-long campaign by vegan groups under the heading ‘‘Veganuary’’, which encouraged people to go vegan for the month. That involves eating plant-based foods only, and removing meat, dairy, eggs and honey from the diet.

Following on from the vegan campaign is ‘‘Februdairy’’, which has been organised by those within the dairy industry, and asks milk producers to share positive, factual posts on social media celebrating the dairy sector.

Speaking at a Fane Valley Feeds conference this week, UFU president Barclay Bell said that farmers need to convince the general public that their industry is worth supporting. “We have seen an anti-dairy campaign from vegans. We can’t let this run on. It has to be challenged,” said Bell.

In recent weeks, anti-dairy campaigners have become increasingly vocal on social media, with attacks on practices within the dairy industry.

One Tyrone dairy farmer who asked what he should do with his 85 acres of medium to heavy boulder clay was told that he should either sell up and buy arable land to grow crops or, instead, create a non-profit animal sanctuary for cows.