Animal welfare

The European dairy sector fully endorses animal welfare

The European dairy industry processes milk and dairy ingredients in around 12.000 plants in the EU and partners on a daily basis with around 700.000 farmers across the whole Union. Cows are the core pillars of the economic, social and environmental strength of the dairy sector, the animals giving the milk have long been deserving our particular care and attention. The dairy industry confirms that healthy cattle, as well as sheep, goats and buffaloes assure the sustainability of our sector. Animal care is essential to produce safe and high-quality milk, just as it is essential to assure farm productivity and profitability.

The European dairy industry relies on healthy animals and well-kept dairy livestock

Dairy animal welfare means ensuring that animals are healthy, comfortable and well-fed; have access to safe, clean drinking water; are able to express normal behaviour; and are protected from pain, fear and distress. Such animal care practices include healthy living conditions, nutritious and adapted diets and good medical care.

 

The European dairy industry relies on healthy animals and well-kept dairy livestock

Danone communicates

Danone communicates on a dedicated website around all sustainability issues, including animal welfare:

“Animal welfare is a business issue for Danone, in order to meet the consumers’ and stakeholders’ expectations, ensure a top quality finished product, and help increase the farmers’ profitability and competitiveness.”

Valio and the well-being of dairy cows

Valio puts emphasis on the well-being of dairy cows, through production training and regular dairy farm audits.

DMK 2020 Sustainability Programme

DMK GROUP has integrated several goals relating to animal welfare into its DMK 2020 Sustainability Programme. For the ambitious goals in the farming sector DMK GROUP has implemented the Milkmaster Programme, in which all dairy farmers are involved. Milkmaster is the joint initiative by dairy farmers, for dairy farmers with which the company fulfils its responsibility.

Friesland Campina - Lowest possible impact on the environment

Friesland Campina strives to “use agricultural and dairy farming methods that have the lowest possible impact on the environment, are animal friendly and contribute towards boosting public support for dairy farming.” It supports its member dairy farmers via a specific programme with tools for achieving sustainable farm management.

ARLA - a specific programme

At ARLA as well, a specific programme focuses on “continually improving animal welfare by implementing the animal welfare standard for all Arla farmers and by strengthening performance with extension services and new knowledge.”

French national programme for animal welfare

Lactalis Group is fully supportive of the French national programme for animal welfare, through the “Charter for good agricultural practices” launched in 1999. This national charter covers over 92% of the milk collected in France and inspired the Group’s own charter called “Cap sur l’Avenir” (The Future ahead of us) now covering 98% of the milk it collects in France.