Arla Foods UK comments on EFRA Committee farmgate prices report
The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee have published their report into farmgate prices (online here).
Arla appeared before the Committee on 4 November 2015 (here) and delivered written evidence too (here and here).
In response to the report’s publication, David Christensen, Arla farmer owner and Board of Representative member said: “Arla and its 2,700 British farmer owners thank the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee for their important intervention during a tough period for dairy farmers. We welcome the recognition of the role that producer organisations, like Arla, have in helping improve the strength of dairy farmers, as well as the importance of seizing opportunities for domestic and global market growth”
Ash Amirahmadi, head of milk and member services added: “Arla recognises the importance of working closely with the Government to boost exports, drive innovation within our sector and to highlight the dietary and nutritional benefits of dairy. As the report points out, it’s also about highlighting the importance of collective working amongst the farming community. As a farmer-owned dairy company, where all our profits are returned to our farmers, this is central to everything we do.”
Arla Foods is a global dairy company and co-operative owned by 12,700 dairy farmers.
Dating back to 1881, Arla’s purpose is to secure the highest value for its farmers’ milk, while creating opportunities for their growth. With production facilities in 11 countries and sales offices in a further 30, Arla is the world’s fifth largest dairy company and largest supplier of organic dairy products. Arla has a total of more than 18,000 colleagues and its products are sold under the well-known brands Arla®, Lurpak® and Castello® in more than 100 countries.
Arla Foods UK is the largest dairy company in the country and is home to leading dairy brands Anchor, Cravendale, and Lactofree. It has a turnover of £2.3 billion. As well as being number one in fresh liquid milk, butter, spreads and cream, Arla is the UK’s largest cheese manufacturer. It has also built the world’s largest fresh milk facility located at Aylesbury and has plans for it to be the first zero carbon site of its kind. The UK business has a team of approximately 3,500 colleagues located at its dairies, distribution centres and head office.