Consumers have always had an 'active choice' in buying 'free-range' milk, dairy group says

Organic Milk Suppliers Cooperative has responded to the Asda free-range milk product, saying organic milk has always been there for consumers to buy

Consumers have always had an ‘active choice’ when it comes to supporting pasture-based farming systems and buying ‘free-range’ milk, according to an organic group.

The Organic Milk Suppliers Cooperative (OMSCo) is keen to raise awareness of the fact that consumers have always had an ‘active choice’ when it comes to supporting ‘free-range’ milk.

This comes as news that Asda will be stocking ‘free-range’ milk , from cows that have been kept outside for at least six months of the year.

“Organic dairy farms in the UK have to meet strict independent legally binding production standards and are audited annually in-line with a range of regulatory criteria enforced by organic certification bodies,” said Nicholas Saphir, OMSCo executive chairman.

“These standards state that organic cows must by law, spend as much time outside on pasture as conditions allow and that they must be fed a grass rich diet. In practical terms, this means organic cows are typically grazing for 215 days based on our latest independently conducted study. Therefore, ‘free-range’ milk has been readily available to the consumer in the form of organic for over twenty years,” said Mr Saphir.

'Incorrect'

The dairy group says that organic milk in Asda is priced below this new product despite also providing the same health benefits.

“While we welcome pasture-based innovation; to consider the development of these ‘free-range’ principles as providing the consumer with a new choice would be incorrect,” explains Nicholas.

“We’re encouraging consumers to recognise that organic farmers already exceed the 180-day minimum set out in this new ‘free-range’ milk product as well as providing all the other benefits associated with organic production, at a lower price to consumers.”