Editorial: Dairy Farmers Doing Their Bit For The Environment

The UK dairy sector has launched specific guidance for calculating the carbon footprint of all dairy products.

In collaboration, Dairy UK, DairyCo, the Carbon Trust and processors have produced guidelines that allow dairy processing companies to measure the carbon emissions coming from the supply chain.

A survey from the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers (RABDF) showed that as many as 60 per cent of producers were taking serious action to change their farming systems or had already adopted measures specifically targeted at reducing greenhouse gases.

Milk prices were a big issue at the Dairy and Livestock Event in the UK this week, with David Cotton, RABDF Chairman saying that every one pence per litre change to farmgate price is worth a hefty £7,500 to the average 100 cow herd.

In France, putting pressure on the industry has returned favourable results. So far this year, producers have seen a 10 per cent rise in milk prices compared to last year.

The producers have also agreed that for 2011, the French milk price will be coupled to the German milk price. This means that the French milk price may at most deviate from the German price by 0.8 cents per litre.

Whilst some believe this to be a positive move forward, others are more skeptical, as German milk prices are generally lower than French prices.

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