Arla Foods UK:
Arla Foods is a global dairy company and
co-operative owned by 12,700 dairy
farmers with circa 2,700 of whom
are British.
www.arlafoods.co.uk
by attracting more farmers who are
the farmers as they convert. This
as logistics, separated productions
willing to convert to GM free feed,”
model driven by market demand is
etc. As the commercial opportunities
says Åke Hantoft.
also used for organic milk, for which
arise in other markets, we will invite
He underlines that the decision is
the farmers are already compensated
farmers to participate and gradually
based on the commercial opportunity
for the extra feed cost.
take on more farmers. But we still
and does not indicate that Arla’s
“Our immediate demand is up to 1
need to explore exactly how we can
owners are taking a new stand on GM.
bn kg extra milk during the next 12
make this happen and how fast,” says
“We welcome innovative solutions and
months and we expect to be able to
Peder Tuborgh.
new technology, which can improve
pay an extra 1 eurocent per kg milk.
The genetically modified feeds
farming and help feed the world’s
The market driven compensation
currently used are in most cases
growing population in a sustainable
will also be paid to all our Swedish
limited to soy, which on Arla farms
manner. We are not closing a door on
farmers, who already use GM free
covers between 0 and 10 per cent of
GM and we will continue to monitor
feed. We do not know exactly from
the total feed volume. All soy currently
the scientific research into the pros
when, but we are working fast to
used at Arla farms is covered by
and cons of GM going for-ward.”
unfold the details,” says CEO Peder
certificates to support responsible
Compensation could be 1 eurocent per
Tuborgh.
soy production. Despite the fact that
kg milk
The practical challenges in the
the cows are fed with these limited
Converting to GM free feed will be
company and on the farm are still to
amounts of genetically modified soy
a cost for the farmers. However,
be investigated.
feed, their milk is per definition GM
following the price premium that the
“Currently, the demand comes from
free as the GM can’t be traced to the
retailers and the consumers will be
Germany, where we will immediately
milk.
willing to pay, Arla will compensate
look into the practical issues such
FDPP - www.fdpp.co.uk 5