Sustainability has for many years been a key value of the Irish Dairy Board and we have been taking steps to improve our environmental performance. This report consolidates the steps we have taken to date and affirms our commitment to sustainability.
It highlights some of the initiatives the Irish Dairy Board has undertaken to improve its environmental performance and while we are very proud of our achievements, we have adopted an attitude of continuous improvement. We will continue to implement initiatives that enhance the Irish Dairy Board’s Sustainability Programme and will provide leadership to build a sustainability plan for the future growth of the Irish dairy industry.
As well as our Annual Report we have launched our 10 point Sustainability Charter which ensures we take a holistic approach to sustainability covering all aspects ranging from energy efficiency to animal welfare.
The Irish Dairy Board (IDB) is Ireland’s largest exporter of premium dairy products and a leading international food company with a global footprint that extends to over 80 countries.
As the leading supplier of Irish dairy products, the Irish Dairy Board takes a leadership role in promoting environmentally sustainable dairy products. We are committed to growing our business in a sustainable way.
We take pride in the inherent sustainability attributes of the products we supply to our customers throughout the world and we are working across the entire IDB Group, and with our suppliers and farmers, to build further on our sustainability credentials in a systematic and measurable way.
Some facts about Irish Dairy Farming:
- Ireland is the most Carbon Efficient milk producer in the European Union.
- Agriculture accounts for two-thirds of land use and grass is grown on 80% of this agricultural land. Thanks to our temperate climate our cows can graze outdoors for up to 312 days a year.
- Ireland’s Green House Gas emissions per unit of milk production are forecast to fall by 16% by 2018.
The Road to Sustainability is Always Under Construction
