PlanetProof and Beter Leven launch joint dairy pilot

SMK and the Dierenbescherming (Animal protection) are joining forces. The organisations behind On the way to PlanetProof and the Beter Leven (Better Life) quality label are launching a joint pilot in the dairy sector. Their aim: to help 40 dairy farmers take steps toward meeting the animal welfare criteria for Beter Leven’s 1-star certification. FrieslandCampina and Farmel are supporting the initiative.

One pilot, two systems

The farmers taking part already supply PlanetProof-certified milk. That foundation is in place. Now, an additional focus is being added: improved animal welfare, as required by the Beter Leven label. The pilot will run for a minimum of three years. “By working together, we aim to reinforce one another and offer perspective to dairy farmers who want to further improve the sustainability of their business. At the same time, we are responding to market demand for better animal welfare,” says Gijs Dröge, director of SMK.

Both labels will continue to exist. However, SMK and the Dierenbescherming are actively aligning their efforts, not only with each other, but also with dairy processors and supermarket chains. The goal: to speed up progress across the dairy supply chain.

Reward as a key factor

It’s important that the additional efforts required from farmers are also rewarded. Not just in terms of feasibility, but financially as well. That’s why a transparent reward structure is a key component of the pilot.

“The Beter Leven label is focused on improving the welfare of dairy cattle, as well as promoting nature and environmental standards in dairy farming,” says Marijke de Jong, strategic advisor to the Beter Leven label. Plans for scaling up are already being explored during the pilot. That includes partnering with supermarkets.

Support across the supply chain

FrieslandCampina and Farmel have both expressed clear support for the initiative. “We see this collaboration between different sustainability labels as a positive step. It also helps build consumer trust,” says Aniruddha Kusurkar of FrieslandCampina.

Jehannes Miedema from Farmel agrees: “We’re pleased with this collaboration as well. It’s a great opportunity to support On the way to PlanetProof participants in taking further steps within their milk stream, focused on sustainability and animal welfare, supported by appropriate compensation.”

Smk.nl