The Australian Dairy Sustainability Framework has reached its 10-year milestone.
The framework is underpinned by four commitments — to enhance economic viability and livelihoods, improve the wellbeing of people, provide the best care for animals, and reduce environmental impact.
This is the first agricultural framework of its kind and sets the standard for sustainable dairy production in Australia to 2030, and beyond.
During the past 10 years the industry has made significant progress, including:
- Ninety-four per cent of dairy farmers are implementing measures to reduce emissions on-farm.
- Dairy manufacturers’ emissions intensity has reduced 25.5 per cent since 2010-11.
- Dairy companies generate more than $15.7 billion in contributions to the Australian economy, supporting more than 70,000 full-time equivalent jobs in communities across Australia.
- All dairy farmers support compliance with animal welfare standards, and most go well beyond this to provide best care for their animals.
- Milestone research has been undertaken in dairy’s role in healthy sustainable diets, with key research findings revealing increased dairy consumption reduces fractures in aged care residents by 33 per cent, and 88 per cent of general practitioners feel confident to recommend dairy as a part of a balanced diet.
The internationally recognised framework was created in consultation with dairy farmers, manufacturers and a broad group of stakeholders including government, retailers, customers, NGOs and interest groups.
It is owned by the Australian Dairy Industry Council, including Australian Dairy Farmers and Australian Dairy Products Federation. Dairy Australia is responsible for developing and implementing the framework in line with ADIC’s direction
Dairy Australia’s Helen Dornom said the industry’s sustainability journey was one of constant reviewing, adapting and evolving.
“Since 2012, we’ve made big strides in our commitments, with farmers providing good stewardship of our natural resources and meeting the challenges of climate change. However, we know there is more to be done,” Ms Dornom said.
“It’s undeniable that the world needs nutritious food options such as dairy.
“As food producers, we have a responsibility to produce food in a sustainable way, and we won’t stop striving to adapt our production systems to be more sustainable now and into the future.”
Dairy farmer Tom Middlebrook, from Bowman in NSW, said sustainability took a collective effort from everyone in the supply chain.
“As farmers, we are committed to implementing processes and innovations on-farm to address sustainability challenges in areas such as improving water efficiencies through recycling, as well as land management to improve biodiversity, soil and carbon capture, food waste management and antimicrobial stewardship,” Mr Middlebrook said.
“I recognise that people want to know how the food they eat is produced, with sustainability playing an increasingly important role in their food choices.
“As a key part of the dairy food production cycle, it’s my goal to always be proud of how we farm, continuously looking to evolve our practices to ensure sustainability is at the fore.”