SAI Platform Creates a New Approach to Reach Sector-Wide Impact for Sustainable Dairy
5th March 2018
On 14-15 February SAI Platform’s Dairy Working Group came together at the Nestlé Global Headquarters in Vevey to kick off a global pilot process between dairy manufacturers and dairy buyers. SAI Platform members Nestlé, Danone, Mars, FrieslandCampina, Arla, Dairy Australia, Fonterra, Ferrero, Glanbia, Bord Bia, Barry Callebaut, Ahold Delhaize and Kerry Group as well as non-members the Wageningen University, the Innovation Centre for US Dairy, and the Dairy Sustainability Framework (DSF), all came together to initiate the piloting phase of the B2B model developed by the group through 2017. The aim by the end of 2018 is to clearly define an approach for global deployment and scaling that will reach a sector-wide impact on sustainable dairy.
Speaking at the kick off meeting, Patricia García Díaz, Dairy Working Group Lead, responded to the energy and enthusiasm of the Dairy Group members, by adding, “We are building the bridge as we cross it, and I strongly believe that the power we have around this table can leverage amazing impact. However, we must work together and learn from each other. The answers and solutions do not lay with one person alone or even one organisation. Solutions are found by all of us coming together and working together.”
The necessity for this new approach is felt right across the industry. Currently farmers face multiple audits by their co-op as part of a dairy company programme as well as customer audits, which all distract from focussing on continuous improvement. Right now, the situation involves high spending in multiple-third party auditing organisations; farmers are visited multiple times, therefore, spending both time and resources, all of which correlate to a lack of focus when implementing programmes that deliver value across the sector.
Based on the Dairy Sustainability Framework, the B2B Model aims to create a communications channel that allows “sellers” to communicate to “buyers” directly, clearly and in a standardised way, about their priorities and continuous improvement in the application of sustainable agricultural practices.
The members of SAI Platform’s Dairy Working Group, represent different stakeholders in the sector and collectively have the capacity to drive sector wide impact on a global scale, bringing dairy sustainability to a new level.
For more information on the Dairy Working Group, contact Patricia García Díaz, Programme Lead – Dairy.
