Dairy UK Vows to Make Industry More Sustainable

Through a strategic partnership with WRAP announced today, Dairy UK has signed up to an ambitious ten-year voluntary agreement, the Courtauld Commitment 2025, to reduce the environmental impact of food and drink production in the UK.

The goal is to cut the resource needed to provide food and drink by one-fifth in ten years, and increase value for everyone. The commitment’s ambitious targets include:

• A 20% reduction in food & drink waste arising in the UK;
• A 20% reduction in the greenhouse gas intensity of food & drink consumed in the UK;
• A reduction in impact associated with water use in the supply chain.

Dr Judith Bryans, Chief Executive of Dairy UK, said: “The dairy industry is a major player in the food sector and the Courtauld Commitment is a pivotal environmental initiative which, for the first time, brings all parties together under one voluntary agreement.

“More than 98% of the UK population consumes milk and dairy on a regular basis. So the challenge of ever more mouths to feed increases day by day, and the way that our industry interacts with the environment is hugely important.

“The dairy sector has been making tangible improvements for years and UK dairy businesses take their environmental responsibilities very seriously. There is clear evidence that the dairy industry is working extremely hard, and we are determined to meet an ambitious set of improvements over the next decade.

“This is a terrific initiative and underlines our commitment to stepping up to the challenge.”

Richard Swannell, Director of Sustainable Food Systems at WRAP, added: “Courtauld 2025 is our most ambitious agreement yet and we are delighted that Dairy UK has pledged their support as a signatory. We are faced with some big challenges ahead with rising populations, climate change and dwindling resources. But tackling food waste offers a practical option to address these challenges and in doing so, will create new opportunities. Only by working together can we hope to realise the big changes that are essential to ensuring a more prosperous future for individuals, businesses and the planet.”