UK Dairy Farmers Encouraged to Participate in National Survey for Future Sustainability

United Kingdom 29.12.2025

Sourse: www.agriland.co.uk

The Dairy Roadmap has launched a national survey targeting UK dairy farmers to address economic, environmental, and sustainability issues in the sector. The survey, running until January 14, aims to gather insights to shape future sustainability targets and improve the dairy supply chain. SRUC will create a report based on the findings, due in 2026.

UK Dairy Farmers Encouraged to Participate in National Survey for Future Sustainability

The Dairy Roadmap has initiated a comprehensive survey aimed at UK dairy farmers to explore major challenges like economic conditions, environmental impact, and long-term sustainability within the sector. The survey is open until January 14 and invites farmers to share feedback on current practices and necessary improvements to maintain competitiveness and resilience.

The insights gathered will inform the Sustainable Pathways report, which SRUC is tasked to write. This report will assess options available to farmers for medium- and long-term sustainability, articulating a vision for future performance against sustainability goals.

SRUC's involvement ensures that the report remains objective and data-driven. The report aims to demonstrate how various sector levels can collaborate with the government to support national environmental priorities and commitments. It will be published in two parts in 2026 and aims to be a sector-owned document that guides the dairy industry through to 2030 and 2050.

David Homer, a tenant farmer from Wiltshire, emphasized the industry's resilience and need for strategic collaboration to address challenges like shifting consumer expectations and environmental pressures. He highlighted the importance of the Pathways report as a shared vision for the future of UK dairy.

Key themes of the roadmap include supporting net-zero ambitions, encouraging nature-positive farming, reducing waste and emissions, promoting economic resilience, and linking sustainability with profitability. The survey also invites contributions from wider industry stakeholders, emphasizing a collective effort to build a sustainable dairy future.

The Dairy Roadmap, established in 2008, has been working towards enhancing environmental performance across the dairy supply chain. The new Sustainable Dairy Pathways Report represents the next phase in these efforts, providing guidance on industry-aligned sustainability targets while allowing flexibility for farmers and processors.