Arla unveils new farming standards model to 'benefit everyone'

Aldi is the first UK grocery retailer to sign up to Arla's new programme
Aldi is the first UK grocery retailer to sign up to Arla's new programme

Farmer-owned cooperative Arla has launched a new standard for UK dairy farming with an approach looking to "benefit everyone".

With ongoing volatility in the global milk markets, increasing consumer misunderstanding of the sector, polarised levels of support for UK dairy farmers and a new post-Brexit Agriculture Bill, the challenges for dairy farmers are mounting.

Announced on Tuesday (16 October), Arla's new UK 360 programme covers six areas to build a "profitable and responsible" dairy farm business.

It looks to incorporate best practice in dairy farming across animal health and welfare, people development, natural resources, community engagement and economic resilience.

Graham Wilkinson, Head of Agriculture at Arla Foods UK said: “This programme is a vision of how we help drive sustainable businesses for UK dairy farmers. It isn’t just about producing high quality dairy products.

“It continues the journey of our owners in driving a sustainable business, as stewards of the countryside and a critical part of UK food production. Crucial to its success is the support of retailers and foodservice businesses, as only then can the vision become a reality on farms across the UK.”

'Flexibility'

In aligning behind one standard in farming, Arla believes this will enable "flexibility" for farmers and retailers to partner on solving challenges in farming.

Aldi is the first UK grocery retailer to sign up to the programme and its support will provide a premium to a selected group of Arla’s owners to deliver the standards on farm.

The retailer will work with its group of British Arla farmer owners through the Aldi Dairy Farm Partnership to share knowledge through the supply chain and explore and tackle waste on farm, initially searching for ways to reuse or recycle on farm plastic through the supply chain.

The programme has been developed following a six-month trial with 79 Arla farmer owners. Additional areas that the programme will seek to address with the support of retailers and foodservice companies include breeding calves with purpose, cow behavioural studies, waste reduction and reuse along with data driven leadership.