Dairy farmers to receive premium for embracing sustainability scheme
A group of Devonshire dairy farmers could receive up to 2p/litre extra for their milk as part of a scheme to encourage sustainable and environmentally friendly farming.
Torridge Vale is the first dairy to sign up to the Greener for Life accreditation, which will see it pay its 40 members a 0.5p/litre premium from 1 April in return for meeting sustainability standards.
The 60m litre co-operative will carry Greener for Life branding on its products to show it has met certain environmental achievements, such as environmental stewardship, renewable energy and biodiversity.
Devon dairy farmer Winston Reed, director of food and energy specialist Greener for Life, which devised the scheme, said farmers and processors who signed up would have a unique selling point which would allow them to command higher prices from retailers.
Gains through sustainable production
“Once those farmers are accredited, we anticipate there will be at least 2p/litre to be gained through sustainable production,” he said.
Greener for Life was already in talks with another farmhouse cheese processor to enter the scheme, and retailers were showing “real interest”, he added.
“Now supermarkets have dedicated supply chains, it’s easier for them to work on making their supply chains greener.
“It’s only a matter of time before farmers will be expected to meet certain environmental standards, and they need to be prepared.
“Farmers need to get added value for taking these steps towards sustainability, and this accreditation can help them achieve that.”
Nick Rogers, chairman of Torridge Vale, said the scheme gives a financial incentive for farmers to look at how sustainable their business is.
“It not only improves standards on the farm and reduces costs – it adds considerable value to the end product.”