Tesco, Arla, Müller forge alliance to accelerate UK dairy sustainability

UK – In a bid to tackle climate change and improve sustainability, British retailer Tesco has joined forces with dairy giants Arla and Müller UK & Ireland to launch a farmer-led initiative, the Future Dairy Partnership. 

This partnership aims to address pressing environmental and animal welfare issues within the dairy sector, with a focus on reducing carbon emissions, enhancing animal welfare, and restoring natural ecosystems.

Unified approach to climate challenges in dairy

The UK dairy industry, like much of the agricultural sector, faces mounting pressure as climate change impacts food production. 

From affecting the health and productivity of dairy herds to reducing the availability of quality fodder, these challenges have heightened the urgency for a sustainable transformation. 

According to the FAO, climate shifts already impact dairy farming directly by influencing livestock health and indirectly by compromising feed production. 

Arla Foods warns that continued uncertainty in the dairy industry could threaten milk supply and, by extension, food security in the UK.

To counter these risks, the Future Dairy Partnership has set a goal to lower on-farm emissions by 30% by 2030. This collaboration, initiated by Arla and supported by Tesco, encourages other industry players to join in driving sustainable practices. 

“We must accelerate our action to address the ongoing challenges that the climate emergency presents to our food system,” says Bas Padberg, Managing Director at Arla Foods UK, highlighting the sector’s need for unified, innovative solutions.

Key focus areas and innovation

Central to the Future Dairy Partnership is the commitment to innovation and sustainability guidelines through the development of a “sustainable dairy blueprint.” 

This document will outline concrete sustainability targets and ethical standards for farmers, aligning practices across the sector. 

One of the first actions under the partnership will be farm-based trials of methane-reducing feed additives, which could play a critical role in cutting down greenhouse gases produced by dairy cattle. Once proven effective, these innovations will be scaled for broader application throughout the UK.

In addition to the blueprint, the partnership will generate an industry-wide report that examines the path to a sustainable dairy future, alongside recommendations for the financial and technical support needed to achieve it.

Engaging farmers and expanding impact

Tesco’s Sustainable Dairy Group (TSDG), comprising 400 farmers from across the UK, will form the core of this sustainability initiative. 

By leveraging insights from both Arla and Müller, the partnership aims to set measurable standards in areas like carbon footprint reduction and biodiversity enhancement. 

These farmers, consulted throughout the project’s planning phase, will help shape the roadmap for achieving the partnership’s sustainability goals.

“To achieve our ambitious climate and nature goals, we must work together to implement transformational improvements at pace,”Ashwin Prasad, Tesco’s Chief Commercial Officer, said.

Will Hosford, an Arla farmer, and Dave Jones, a Müller farmer, echo this sentiment, noting that while dairy farmers have already made strides in improving animal welfare and reducing carbon footprints, more action is needed. 

“This partnership allows us to share our experiences and bring benefits to a wider group of farmers, securing a more sustainable future for dairy,” they add.