Tesco Launches Future Dairy Partnership to Drive Sustainability in Dairy Industry
Source: DairyNews.today
Tesco has announced a new collaboration with dairy suppliers Arla and Müller UK & Ireland to launch the Future Dairy Partnership, an ambitious initiative designed to lower carbon emissions, improve animal welfare, and promote sustainable farming practices across the UK dairy sector.
The partnership marks a significant industry effort to address climate impacts on dairy farming and aims for a 30% reduction in on-farm emissions by 2030.
The Future Dairy Partnership brings together 400 farmers from Tesco’s Sustainable Dairy Group (TSDG) and encourages participation from other industry players to create a more resilient dairy supply chain. This effort is part of Tesco’s longstanding commitment to sustainable agriculture, building on the success of previous initiatives with its TSDG farmers that focused on reducing environmental impact, such as introducing methane-reducing feed additives.
“We must work together as an industry to make transformational improvements,” said Ashwin Prasad, Tesco’s chief commercial officer. “By partnering with Arla and Müller, we’re ensuring that farmers play a central role in advancing our shared climate and nature goals.”
Farmers will play a pivotal role in shaping the roadmap for the Future Dairy Partnership, contributing to projects that explore nature-based solutions for carbon reduction and innovation in animal welfare practices. The partnership’s goals will be guided by a new Sustainable Dairy Blueprint, which will offer specific guidelines on sustainability targets while allowing flexibility for farmers and processors to choose methods that best suit their operations.
Will Hosford, an Arla farmer, and Dave Jones, a Müller farmer, jointly chair the TSDG. They emphasized the importance of stewardship, noting that the partnership would allow farmers to share best practices and foster a collaborative approach to sustainable dairy farming. “As farmers, we want to leave our farms in a better place for future generations. Through this partnership, we can secure a more sustainable future for dairy,” they said.
Key areas of focus include innovation through on-farm projects, a dedicated farmer focus group to test carbon-reducing technologies, and an industry-wide report to provide insight into sustainable practices and financial support needed to drive progress.
Arla Foods UK Managing Director Bas Padberg highlighted the industry’s shared responsibility. “Through real collaboration, we can drive a transformation. The time is now to unite, invest, and make a lasting impact for generations to come.”
Rob Hutchison, CEO of Müller Milk & Ingredients, noted that the partnership supports consumers’ expectations for environmental responsibility in dairy production. “Our commitment is clear—we’re working with Tesco and Arla to create a better future for dairy.”
The Future Dairy Partnership aims to lead change within the UK dairy sector, fostering a more sustainable industry that balances environmental responsibility with the production of nutritious dairy products.
The Future Dairy Partnership brings together 400 farmers from Tesco’s Sustainable Dairy Group (TSDG) and encourages participation from other industry players to create a more resilient dairy supply chain. This effort is part of Tesco’s longstanding commitment to sustainable agriculture, building on the success of previous initiatives with its TSDG farmers that focused on reducing environmental impact, such as introducing methane-reducing feed additives.
“We must work together as an industry to make transformational improvements,” said Ashwin Prasad, Tesco’s chief commercial officer. “By partnering with Arla and Müller, we’re ensuring that farmers play a central role in advancing our shared climate and nature goals.”
Farmers will play a pivotal role in shaping the roadmap for the Future Dairy Partnership, contributing to projects that explore nature-based solutions for carbon reduction and innovation in animal welfare practices. The partnership’s goals will be guided by a new Sustainable Dairy Blueprint, which will offer specific guidelines on sustainability targets while allowing flexibility for farmers and processors to choose methods that best suit their operations.
Will Hosford, an Arla farmer, and Dave Jones, a Müller farmer, jointly chair the TSDG. They emphasized the importance of stewardship, noting that the partnership would allow farmers to share best practices and foster a collaborative approach to sustainable dairy farming. “As farmers, we want to leave our farms in a better place for future generations. Through this partnership, we can secure a more sustainable future for dairy,” they said.
Key areas of focus include innovation through on-farm projects, a dedicated farmer focus group to test carbon-reducing technologies, and an industry-wide report to provide insight into sustainable practices and financial support needed to drive progress.
Arla Foods UK Managing Director Bas Padberg highlighted the industry’s shared responsibility. “Through real collaboration, we can drive a transformation. The time is now to unite, invest, and make a lasting impact for generations to come.”
Rob Hutchison, CEO of Müller Milk & Ingredients, noted that the partnership supports consumers’ expectations for environmental responsibility in dairy production. “Our commitment is clear—we’re working with Tesco and Arla to create a better future for dairy.”
The Future Dairy Partnership aims to lead change within the UK dairy sector, fostering a more sustainable industry that balances environmental responsibility with the production of nutritious dairy products.
