The hard work Co-op farmers dedicate to their animals’ wellbeing has been recognised with a major international award.
Fonterra has received a Good Dairy Commendation from Compassion in World Farming (CIWF), a leading global animal welfare and environmental organisation.
CIWF’s annual Good Farm Animal Welfare Awards recognise food companies who work collaboratively to create more sustainable food supply chains and have policies and commitments that support animal wellbeing and the environment. The 2024 awards were held in Paris, recognising 49 winners from around the world.
The Co-op is the first pasture-based dairy company to receive a Good Dairy Commendation. This acknowledges companies committed to implementing higher wellbeing standards ensuring cows have access to pasture, are not tethered and their welfare is monitored through key animal-based indicators.
Fonterra’s Director of Sustainability Charlotte Rutherford says the Co-op is honoured to receive the award.
‘This accolade reflects the work our farm owners do every day to uphold high standards of animal wellbeing and produce some of the world’s finest milk,” says Charlotte.
“Dairy cows are at the heart of our Co-op and we are proud to help provide an environment they thrive in. Our On-Farm Excellence team works closely with farmers to illustrate our high standards to customers and consumers.
“We look forward to continuing our focus and efforts in this area, collaborating strongly with our industry partners to ensure the right tools and support are accessible for our farmers, and ultimately keeping the importance of animal wellbeing in a sustainable dairy system front and centre.”
CWIF Global Director of Food Business, Dr Tracey Jones says the Co-op is a worthy winner.
“Compassion is proud to have partnered with Fonterra for over a decade, and we are delighted to see their farmers’ care and commitment recognised with this award for their New Zealand operations. On a global scale, Fonterra is leading the dairy sector by ensuring pasture access, achieving zero tethering, and actively monitoring welfare. Their dedication to improving cow welfare shines through in their continued leadership across their supply chain.”
How we care for cows
Care for animals’ wellbeing has been handed down through generations of Fonterra farmers.
The Co-op’s Animal Wellbeing Standard formalises the process for assessing and managing animal wellbeing on Fonterra’s farms. It sets out requirements, including processes for managing risk, capturing and submitting animal health data, and conducting internal audits.
Fonterra’s approach to animal wellbeing is based on the Five Domains:
- Freedom from hunger and thirst - Nutrition
- Freedom from discomfort - Environment
- Freedom from pain, injury and disease – Health
- Freedom to express natural behaviour - Behaviour
- Freedom from fear and distress - Mental state
To meet the animal achievement under The Co-operative Difference programme, farmers need to have an Animal Wellbeing Plan (AWP) prepared alongside their vet. The Co-op is on track to have AWPs on every Fonterra New Zealand farm by 2025.
To find out more about improving animal welfare on your farm, drop into a local Farm Source store or contact your CSAM.