Dairy UK briefs Brussels on dairy’s falling environmental impact

On the eve of World Environment Day, Dairy UK travelled to Brussels to help present new research that puts dairy’s environmental impact in context.

The desk-based study from independent researchers at CE Delft shows that dairy cows are responsible for only 3% of global emissions. And in the UK, that figure is nearer to 2% - roughly equivalent to the emissions from air travel. Direct emissions from dairy cows in Europe have fallen by 20% to 30% since 1990, the study found.

Dairy UK Environment Manager Fergus McReynolds briefed stakeholders and EU journalists on progress towards the green targets contained in the UK’s Milk Roadmap.

He said: "There is a lot of misinformation about the environmental impact of dairy. This independent research confirms that emissions from dairy cows are much lower than some high profile estimates for livestock as a whole.

"Our sector is committed to reducing emissions further through the Milk Roadmap. We will shortly report on positive progress in the past year, with more farmers taking up environment stewardship schemes and writing nutrient management plans. Major dairies will be sending little or no waste to landfill by the end of the year and they are on target to use 10% recycled plastic in their milk bottles.

"Dairy makes a huge nutritional contribution to the diet. Our aim is to make sure that there can be no environmental excuse for people to eat less dairy products."