Statement by David Finlay of The Ethical Dairy who features on the BBC Scotland clip
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-scotland-45439303/some-mothers-will-ba… :
“The industrialisation of dairy farming has been of increasing concern to us for over a decade. This is why we have invested close to £1m in developing a new model of dairy farming that directly addresses all of these issues.
“Traditional dairy farmers are between a rock and a hard place on this issue, trapped between high supply costs and low wholesale prices that are pushing them to breaking point. It is the system that is the problem, not the farmers. We know many farmers are deeply uncomfortable with the consequences of industrial farming.
“This issue shouldn’t be polarised between the business interests of industrial mega-dairies and the vegan movement.
“This issue is so much bigger than that. It’s about our nation’s food security, the social impact, the quality of our soil and sustainability of our environment as well as the welfare of animals and the cost of milk.
“Scotland produces outstanding dairy produce and there is an opportunity to take the lead in pioneering sustainable, high welfare dairy systems that are replicable and of global importance. Let us start valuing the male calves and recognising them as an important part of an integrated, sustainable food system.
“All forms of food production involve compromise. Rather than polarise the debate between pro and anti dairy factions; we urge policy makers, the industry and consumers to look for solutions that address waste and deliver nutritious food alongside public benefits and high welfare for farm animals.”
The Ethical Dairy brand was launched in March and is the culmination of 10 years of development and planning by the Finlays to create a sustainable food production system based on ecological farming principles.
The business is now crowdfunding to support cashflow during the 3 year cow with calf pilot to help prove the concept. The crowdfunder was launched to coincide with Organic September and participation in organic festivals and events in London by the business. It is set to run into the autumn calving period when The Ethical Dairy will be undertaking some awareness raising activities. The crowdfunder can be accessed at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/theethicaldairy
More information about The Ethical Dairy and its products can be found at www.theethicaldairy.co.uk on Twitter on @theethicaldairy and on Facebook @EthicalDairy
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