EU Proposals for the Dairy Industry

Written evidence submitted by Asda Dairy Link (DRY 12)

Points to note

· The Asda DairyLink scheme was launched in 2004. We were the first major

supermarket to establish a dedicated and segregated liquid supply of milk.

The 256 DairyLink farms only supply Asda, through our milk processor Arla.

· Our dairy farmers are paid a 1.75p per litre premium above the Arla standard

price. This equates to an extra £21,000 per year for the average Asda

DairyLink farmer. We currently pay 27.75p per litre to our dairy farmers.

· To date the scheme has produced almost four billion pints of milk and paid out

more than £15 million in milk premiums to the dedicated dairy farmers.

Supporting best practice in the dairy industry

· In 2007 we piloted DairyLink ‘best practice’ meetings to bring farmers

together to discuss their businesses and the dairy sector. Following positive

feedback, the project was extended across the UK. Best practice is shared and

attendees are invited to discuss any issues they are encountering on their

farms and any successes they are having. It is also an opportunity for the

farmers to feedback on what they need from Asda.

· DairyLink farmers have access to expert advice sessions about practical issues

affecting their work. For example, we have offered courses on the prevention

of lameness, a serious animal welfare issue. Participating farmers have seen a

reduction in incidences of lameness amongst their animals.

· We run the annual DairyLink Farmer of the Year competition to recognise the

farmers who have really developed and invested in their business. The 2010-

winner was Adam Ball of The Spond farm in Alton, Staffordshire. Over the last

five years Adam has increased the number of cows, doubled the farm’s

acreage and increased profits sevenfold.

· In 2008 the Asda Dairy Link scheme received the ‘Innovation Award’ at the

RSPCA Good Business Awards. This was in recognition of the broad range of

innovative but practical and business-focussed initiatives within the scheme to

improve the welfare of dairy cows.

28 April 2011