Co-op announces further backing for British farmers with a new £820K fund to support sustainable farming efforts, building on the retailer’s investment in UK agriculture.
This support will see farmers directly rewarded for their efforts in reducing carbon emissions and promoting nature on their farms across beef, lamb and dairy sectors as part of two new sustainability projects.
Co-op was the first national UK grocer to have 100% of all its fresh and frozen chicken, pork, beef and lamb sourced from UK farms including as ingredients, which began in 2014. It also only sells British free-range eggs, milk and cream.
Matt Hood, managing director, said: “We know British farmers are facing many challenges and have seen firsthand the fear, anxiety and anger they’re feeling. Backing UK agriculture is more important than ever - at Co-op, this means investing every year to be one of the few UK retailers to be totally 100% British throughout our own supply chain and committing support for farmers addressing the growing need for sustainability and climate resilience.”
The £820k will be allocated across two projects, with participating farmers able to access sustainability payments above the price they are already paid. The first will focus on dairy, partnering with the Soil Association Exchange to support the 140 farmers in its Dairy Farming Group in reducing their carbon footprint and begin to baseline key nature indicators like biodiversity and soil health.
The second, Co-op’s Beef Sustainability Scheme, will reward farmers for adopting on-farm sustainable practices and will be open to members of Co-op’s farming Group. The schemes are part of Co-op’s broader strategy to reduce its environmental impact and support its suppliers in doing the same.
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