Responsible farming, sustainably sourced milk

The UK Government is transitioning from Common Agricultural Policy payments to the Environmental Land Management scheme*. Under this scheme, farmers will be rewarded for environmentally beneficial work, including tree and hedge planting, river management to prevent flooding, and the creation and restoration of wildlife habitats.

These are measures that farmers and companies involved in the dairy sector can all take to remove carbon from the atmosphere and sequester it in the ground. British farmers are leading in protecting their local environment and making their industry more resilient to climate change. And we are supporting them in doing so.

Promoting responsible dairy practices

The Nestlé Milk Plan aims to enhance sustainability, support farmers, and contribute to environmental stewardship by promoting responsible dairy practices. Through initiatives like efficient resource management, waste reduction, and collaboration with farmers, Nestlé UK & Ireland strives to create a positive impact on both the dairy industry and the environment.

First Milk

In 2003, we established our relationship with First Milk, the farmer-owned dairy co-operative based in Ayrshire and Cumbria. The plan is on track to reduce the emissions from our milk sourcing by 50% by 2026.

Following the herd

We’re taking part in an Innovate UK trial with Scotland’s Rural College and other partners to test cow sensors in Scotland. This technology provides information about the environmental footprint and animal welfare standards.

We have a cunning plan

The Nestlé Milk Plan includes four practices that are compulsory for farmers, in order to receive the sustainability bonus payment for their milk. The Plan also includes five optional elements that we encourage First Milk farmers to participate in.

Compulsory	Optional
Optimising carbon storage within soil and fertiliser use to offset carbon in the supply chain Increasing the biodiversity of farmland Following Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture guidelines for antibiotics Reducing single-use and increasing recycled plastics, exploring alternatives	School visits to help children better understand food, farming and the environment Next Generation Dairy Leaders Programme – helping younger farmers become future leaders Women in Agriculture Programme - empowering diversity, enabling women to exchange knowledge and shape their futures Digital innovation - cow monitors and other technologies provide information about the environmental footprint and animal welfare standards Reducing global deforestation by increasing the use of homegrown forage

Compulsory

Optional

Optimising carbon storage within soil and fertiliser use to offset carbon in the supply chain
Increasing the biodiversity of farmland
Following Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture guidelines for antibiotics
Reducing single-use and increasing recycled plastics, exploring alternatives

School visits to help children better understand food, farming and the environment
Next Generation Dairy Leaders Programme – helping younger farmers become future leaders
Women in Agriculture Programme - empowering diversity, enabling women to exchange knowledge and shape their futures
Digital innovation - cow monitors and other technologies provide information about the environmental footprint and animal welfare standards
Reducing global deforestation by increasing the use of homegrown forage

First Milk Partnership

man's harms pouring milk into a jug in a field

Since 2003, we have worked with 80 farmers who provide high-quality fresh milk for the manufacture of brands such as KitKat® and NESCAFÉ® Frothy Coffee.

Our goal, and that of First Milk, is to lessen environmental impact by improving the sustainability and efficiency of the supply chain. Each farmer receives a ’sustainability bonus’ for taking practical measures that protect and enhance natural assets on their land.

"We are proud to be members of the First Milk supply group to Nestlé. Working with Nestlé has helped to enhance our strong values and beliefs that we are the custodians of the land for the next generation. Through their sustainability programme, it has allowed our farm to be managed with both an environmental and business perspective in mind. With the guidance and support of Nestlé and First Milk we are looking forward to playing our part in reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with our business and we are enthusiastic about the potential for carbon storage into the soils beneath our grasslands."

Margaret Smith
Cotehill Farm

graphic of the nestle milk plan 2030 vision

It’s there in black and white

As specified in our Nestlé Commitment on Farm Animal Welfare and in our Nestlé Responsible Sourcing Standard, we support the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIEI) in promoting implementation of the ‘Five Freedoms’ for animals in the global food supply chain: