Arla Foods, the world’s largest supplier of organic dairy products, is currently attempting to tighten regulations for organic production in Denmark. The aim is for livestock for this type of production to be fed only organic fodder. Existing regulations, laid down by the Ministry of Food and Fisheries and The National Association of Organic Farming, stipulate that organic farmers can feed their livestock up to ten per cent non-organic fodder.

Arla Foods’ 630 organic suppliers are now being promised an extra payment of ten øre per kg milk for the coming year provided they agree to feed their livestock 100 per cent organic fodder from October 2001. The increased payment will mean between DKK 40,000 and 50,000 per year to the average producer.

Arla Foods is hopeful that the move will persuade sufficient numbers of organic producers to switch to 100 per cent organic fodder to cover all the company’s requirements.

“In our view most consumers believe that organic livestock are fed 100 per cent organic fodder,” said Group Director Povl Krogsgaard. “This is why we would like to go one step further than demanded by the official regulations. It’s only natural that we, as the largest supplier of organic dairy products, take the lead in this.”

With effect from October renewed contracts with Danish producers will include the requirement for 100 per cent organic fodder. A decision about the Swedish market will be taken after discussions.

Arla Foods receives 370 million kg organic milk annually of which 30 per cent is sold in Denmark and 3 per cent exported.

Read more about our organic milk products