Department and Producers Renew Sustainability Agreement
US – Renewed producer commitment to the adoption of sustainable energy options will diversify farm revenues and reduce utility operation costs.
26 April 2013
1 minute read
Agriculture Secretary, Thomas Vislack has said the adoption of innovative waste-to-energy projects and energy efficiency improvements on dairy farms will improve sustainability, vital in reaching the ultimate goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 25 per cent by 2020.
The pact, signed between US dairy farmers including representatives from the Innovation Centre for US Dairy ICUSD and the government extends an agreement signed in Copenhagen in 2009.
“We have a long and strong relationship with USDA and Secretary Vilsack, and dairy farmers and the dairy industry are very happy that USDA is entering into the next memorandum of understanding with the Innovation Centre,” said Thomas Gallagher CEO of the ICUSD. “We are all interested in sustainable agriculture and producing good food responsibly, while bolstering an important rural economy, and this new MOU lays out the road map for more improvements. That's good for dairy, good for the economy and good for consumers."
One objective of the agreement is to increase the construction of anaerobic digesters and explore innovative ways to use products previously considered waste streams from dairy production, processing and handling.
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