Granlatte proposes support for the green transition of the dairy sector
Source: The DairyNews
The proposal aims to assist farmers in facing investments for sustainability and digitization.
Granlatte, the largest Italian cooperative of milk producers, suggests strengthening OCM funds for the dairy sector to support investments in the green transition. The cooperative recently participated in a technical seminar on sustainability organized by the European Commission's DG Agri.
Support for Investments
The final stretch of the European legislative term brings some relief to the obligations related to the green deal, with some openness to solutions such as the approval of Tea (assisted evolution genomic techniques). However, sustainability, especially its measurement, remains a key focus. The new Csrd directive will introduce stricter reporting obligations. These investments, primarily borne by companies, involve the adoption of digitalization tools, agriculture, and Industry 4.0 and 5.0. Granlatte proposes that OCM (Common Market Organization) could facilitate and support innovative practices, aligning with agro-climatic-environmental measures from Psr and Pac.
Simona Caselli, President of Granlatte, presented the Granlatte model during the seminar. The model addresses not only CO2 emissions, the central theme of the Green Deal, but also self-production of energy from renewable sources in a circular economy perspective, strategically important for competitiveness. Granlatte initiated a training course for young farmers under 40 in late 2023 to support them in sustainability efforts. The proposal suggests extending OCM to the dairy sector, supporting sustainability action plans and investments in digitalization, certification, and control systems.
Measuring CO2
Granlatte has measured the CO2 produced by the supply chain through a technical-scientific committee composed of the Universities of Milan, Brescia, and Bologna. The analysis in 2021 determined a carbon footprint of 1.50 kg of CO2 eq per kg of raw milk. The next step is to reduce emissions by 30%, using a digital platform to collect data for constant monitoring of sustainability indicators.
Biomethane from the Supply Chain
Granlatte emphasizes opportunities for energy autonomy through biomasses from agricultural waste. The Biometano di Filiera project, in partnership with the Confederation of sugar beet growers, plans to build 10 joint plants in 3 years across Italy. These plants will produce 30 million cubic meters of methane annually, equivalent to the thermal energy needed in Granarolo's Italian facilities, along with 500,000 tons of natural fertilizer (digestate), avoiding the emission of 60,000 tons of CO2 eq. Currently, 5 joint plants are operational, with three already in function.
Biodiversity and Certifications
Granlatte promotes biodiversity to reduce the use of agrochemicals and has partnered with Conapi to implement good agricultural practices for pollinator insect protection. The cooperative has 350 beehives across various Italian regions, totaling 17,450,000 bees. Starting January 2024, Granarolo is the first company in Italy to feature the ApprovedByConapiBees label on the packaging of Organic Milk Granarolo. Granlatte has also obtained the EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) certification for raw milk in Italy, quantifying environmental information throughout the product's life cycle. The entire Granlatte supply chain is Classyfarm and Bonlatte certified for animal welfare.
Support for Investments
The final stretch of the European legislative term brings some relief to the obligations related to the green deal, with some openness to solutions such as the approval of Tea (assisted evolution genomic techniques). However, sustainability, especially its measurement, remains a key focus. The new Csrd directive will introduce stricter reporting obligations. These investments, primarily borne by companies, involve the adoption of digitalization tools, agriculture, and Industry 4.0 and 5.0. Granlatte proposes that OCM (Common Market Organization) could facilitate and support innovative practices, aligning with agro-climatic-environmental measures from Psr and Pac.
Simona Caselli, President of Granlatte, presented the Granlatte model during the seminar. The model addresses not only CO2 emissions, the central theme of the Green Deal, but also self-production of energy from renewable sources in a circular economy perspective, strategically important for competitiveness. Granlatte initiated a training course for young farmers under 40 in late 2023 to support them in sustainability efforts. The proposal suggests extending OCM to the dairy sector, supporting sustainability action plans and investments in digitalization, certification, and control systems.
Measuring CO2
Granlatte has measured the CO2 produced by the supply chain through a technical-scientific committee composed of the Universities of Milan, Brescia, and Bologna. The analysis in 2021 determined a carbon footprint of 1.50 kg of CO2 eq per kg of raw milk. The next step is to reduce emissions by 30%, using a digital platform to collect data for constant monitoring of sustainability indicators.
Biomethane from the Supply Chain
Granlatte emphasizes opportunities for energy autonomy through biomasses from agricultural waste. The Biometano di Filiera project, in partnership with the Confederation of sugar beet growers, plans to build 10 joint plants in 3 years across Italy. These plants will produce 30 million cubic meters of methane annually, equivalent to the thermal energy needed in Granarolo's Italian facilities, along with 500,000 tons of natural fertilizer (digestate), avoiding the emission of 60,000 tons of CO2 eq. Currently, 5 joint plants are operational, with three already in function.
Biodiversity and Certifications
Granlatte promotes biodiversity to reduce the use of agrochemicals and has partnered with Conapi to implement good agricultural practices for pollinator insect protection. The cooperative has 350 beehives across various Italian regions, totaling 17,450,000 bees. Starting January 2024, Granarolo is the first company in Italy to feature the ApprovedByConapiBees label on the packaging of Organic Milk Granarolo. Granlatte has also obtained the EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) certification for raw milk in Italy, quantifying environmental information throughout the product's life cycle. The entire Granlatte supply chain is Classyfarm and Bonlatte certified for animal welfare.
