Intergroup Chair MEP Benoit Cassart and MEPs Hilde Vautmans and Daniel Buda, along with the APAs of MEPs Wcislo and Ni Mhurchu accepted the invitation extended by Danone to visit the dairy farm run by the Guns – Van Den Broeck family in Kasterlee in the North of Belgium.
During the visit, the son Nick, who has taken over the running of the farm, explained the family’s recent investments in building a new barn with climate control for the youngstock. He explained the 280-strong herd is in excellent health, producing on average 12,000 litres of milk per cow per year.
Nick highlighted that their herd’s health and sustainable production is due to a cumulation of factors that the family have invested in over the years, including: top quality DNA; adapted housing; good animal health planning including vaccination; a nutrient-rich feed strategy; and stress-free milking via milking robots.
The family grow their own grass for silage, combined with clover to improve protein content, milk production, and soil fertility. And to reduce their carbon footprint they source a protein crop in the form of field beans from the Brabant province of Belgium, meaning less dependency on soy from other countries. Despite the field beans carrying a higher price than imported soy, the family was clear that they want to continue investing in a herd that is highly sustainable and producing top-quality milk.
Following the tour of the farm, the organisers, Danone shared some key information on how they work with local farmers, including 80 farms in Belgium. Altogether, the company collects 1.4 million tonnes of milk from 1700 farms across Europe, always situated close to the Danone factories, helping to ensure a shorter supply chain. Danone explained that they have established their own sustainable sourcing commitments and they support farmers with making on-farm improvements, as they believe that investing in their farmer suppliers is investing in a healthier future for everyone.
In an exchange with the MEPs the farmer also outlined some key policy areas where the EU can make some improvements to better support farmers:
And at the end of the afternoon, participants in the farm visit enjoyed some fresh milk from the farm and a range of dairy products from the organisers.
MEPs from the Sustainable Livestock Intergroup took a break from the usual meetings in the Parliament, for an afternoon on
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