Source : DairyCo

In May 2008, the Dairy Supply Chain Forum through an industry wide working group identified a set of ambitious environmental reduction targets for the fluid milk supply chain. The dairy supply chain has made significant progress since the development of the original document. The release of the Dairy Roadmap in May 2011 not only reports on the progress made against the agreed 2010 targets, it now also encompasses more than just the fluid milk, which is indicative of the extent to which the whole dairy sector has adopted and is committed to delivering the targets associated with this initiative.

Progress to date is encouraging, though the sector is aware that it cannot rest as the targets for 2015 and 2020 are just as challenging!

The Dairy Roadmap is a ‘living’ document and future targets are under constant review to ensure the industry is continually challenging itself and taking account of evolving external factors.

Download the report from the link below.

Dairy Farmers

• With a challenging target set for 50% of dairy managed farmland entered into Environmental Stewardship Schemes (ESS) by 2010, an encouraging 61% of farmers are participating in some form of ESS.
• Dairy farmers are tackling water use efficiency through a variety of techniques such as re-using water from the plate cooler, harvesting rainwater or installing bore-holes.
• They have also made considerable progress already towards the 2015 target of 20-30% of dairy farmers trialling new technologies such as slurry injection, altering feeding systems and use of solar technologies or wind turbines. Of the dairy farmers surveyed, 39% of dairy farmers had introduced new technologies in the previous 12 – 24 months.
• Dairy farmers have also met the targets for having manure management plans and Farm Health Plans, while the target for the number of farmers actively nutrient planning is expected to be met when complete data is available.
• The 2010 target for the number of farms with on-farm anaerobic digestors was not met, due to envisaged incentive schemes not coming forward, though it is hoped that the Renewable Heat Incentive will accelerate adoption.

Processors

• The 2010 Environmental Benchmarking data demonstrates improvements in the key areas of waste recovery, packaging improvements and emissions reductions. Between 2008 and 2010 fresh milk and cheese processors reduced water usage by 16% and 8% respectively and increased waste recycling rates.
• Over the last 10 years dairy processors have increased their energy efficiency by over 27%, resulting in a reduction in annual emissions of approximately 270,000 tonnes of carbon.
• Over the last 10 years dairy processors have increased their energy efficiency by over 27%, resulting in a reduction in annual emissions of approximately 270,000 tonnes of carbon.

Retailers

• Retailers are making huge advances, by working more closely with their dairy farmers and processors and by providing consumers with the facilities to recycle and reduce environmental impacts wherever possible.
• Most major retailers are now working with their dairy farmer suppliers to measure their carbon footprints in order to drive efficiencies and identify areas of potential improvement.
• Substantial progress has been made in the incorporation of rHDPE plastic into milk bottles and further work will be undertaken in all other dairy product packaging.
• A number of retailers are implementing systems for reducing emissions from the transportation of milk.

Consumers

• Approximately 5% of the greenhouse gas emissions from milk are from consumption and disposal. If this could be reduced or avoided through better management and storage in the home by consumers, it could help to further reduce the environmental impact of dairy.