By RICK GLADIGAU, PRESIDENT, AUSTRALIAN DAIRY FARMERS
THIS year marks 10 years of the Australian Dairy Sustainability Framework – recognised as one of the first industry-wide agricultural sustainability frameworks in the world.
The milestone is an opportunity for the dairy industry to take stock of past achievements, review present initiatives and look to the future as we re-imagine dairy production to 2030 and beyond.
Launched in 2012, the framework was a collective effort to define sustainability for the dairy industry, following extensive consultation with dairy farmers and manufacturers as well as stakeholders including government, retailers, customers, NGOs and interest groups. At the time, the calls for the industry to demonstrate, improve and report performance on sustainable development were getting louder.
Today, the pace of change is accelerating and the urgency for sustainable food production is rising. As a result, our internationally recognised framework, including the ambition in our goals and targets for 2030, continues to be revised and enhanced to respond to emerging needs and events in a changing world. It is aligned with the global Dairy Sustainability Framework.
A promise supported by sustainability commitments
At the heart of sustainable development in the Australian dairy industry is a promise to ourselves and the community, including our customers: to provide nutritious food for a healthier world.
Our Dairy Promise is underpinned by four commitments the industry has made to:
- Enhancing economic viability and livelihoods – creating a vibrant industry that rewards dairy workers and their families, communities, businesses and investors.
- Improving wellbeing of people – providing nutritious, safe, quality dairy food.
- Providing best care for animals – striving for health, welfare and best care for all our animals throughout their lives.
- Reducing our environmental impact – meeting the challenges of climate change and providing good stewardship of our natural resources.
These commitments support global efforts to address the world’s biggest sustainability challenges.
They have been a focus for the whole dairy supply chain in Australia for the past decade.
Highlighting 10 years of progress, achievement
For 10 years, the Australian dairy industry has been at the forefront of sustainable food production, both nationally and globally. Goals and targets for our commitments have been tracked, measured and publicly reported.
Some of the key achievements include:
- Australian dairy companies generating $15.7 billion in sales and supporting more than 70,000 FTE jobs across the nation.
- 88 per cent of general practitioners feeling confident to recommend dairy as a part of a balanced diet.
- Global research led by University of Melbourne and Austin Health showing that dairy reduces fractures in aged care residents by 33%.
- 100% of dairy farmers supporting compliance with animal welfare standards, including the phase-out of routine calving induction.
- 94% of dairy farmers implementing measures to reduce GHG emissions and dairy companies have cut their GHG emissions by 23.5 per cent since 2010/11.
Key among our many sustainability achievements and milestones is the adoption of the National Farmers Federation’s policy of net zero carbon across the Australian economy by 2050 (with conditions).
Looking ahead 10 years from now and beyond
With the impacts of climate change such as water security and extreme weather events on our doorstep, now more than ever, dairy businesses are continuing to adapt to a changing climate.
Reducing GHG emissions, together with improving profitability and competitiveness, animal welfare, anti-microbial stewardship and nutrition quality, as well as protecting human rights, are among the biggest sustainability challenges (and opportunities) for businesses in global food chains.
The dairy industry’s vision of sustainable development is as clear today as it was in 2012. Using the framework as a guide, and assisted by research and services from Dairy Australia, farmers and manufacturers, we look forward to meeting our commitments in 10 years from now – and beyond.