Emmi AG
 

Information

 

 

Sustainability

 

Emmi joins Soy Network Switzerland

 

 

Lucerne, 21 February 2018 – Sustainable dairy products come from sustainable milk. In addition to animal welfare, Emmi focuses here on feed, which should primarily consist of roughage. High-protein soy can also be beneficial as a feed supplement. However, it must come from sustainable sources. By joining Soy Network Switzerland, Emmi aims to help ensure that only certified soy is used in Swiss milk production.

 

 

The sustainability of dairy products hinges on the production of milk. For Emmi, this means dairy production adapted to Switzerland and its pastures. Emmi focuses here on both animal welfare and feed. More specifically, dairy cows in Switzerland should eat little expensive concentrated feed, but mainly turn grass, which is indigestible for humans, into rich milk. However, for a balanced diet (depending, for example, on the breed of cow, husbandry system or lactation period), the use of supplementary feed can be beneficial. Emmi believes that use of high-protein soy should not be ruled out, as long as it is sustainably produced.

 

 

Going the last mile

 

The majority of Swiss dairy farmers already feed their cows in accordance with their needs and adapted to the location. The feed is predominantly roughage (in particular grass, hay, silage), with oil seeds (including soy) making up only a minimal share (3 %).

 

Most soy in Switzerland is imported. Thanks to Soy Network Switzerland, 99 % of imported soy used for feed currently comes from sustainable, GMO-free cultivation. Since 2011, the network has actively worked to ensure that imported soy comes primarily from responsible production. At that time, only 40 % did. The proportion of soy from Europe has also increased greatly and is already at 22 %.

 

Emmi welcomes the efforts of Soy Network Switzerland, which makes a significant contribution to making Swiss agriculture comprehensively more sustainable. By becoming a member of Soy Network Switzerland, Emmi aims to support the association in its work.

The Executive Board of Soy Network Switzerland approved Emmi’s membership application on 8 February 2018.

 

 

Detailed information can be found in Emmi's Online Sustainability Report.

 

 

Contacts

 

Emmi: Sibylle Umiker, Head of Media Relations, t +41 58 227 50 66, e-mail: media@emmi.com 

Soy Network Switzerland: Stefan Kausch, Project Manager, t +41 76 349 66 94, e-mail: info@sojanetzwerk.ch

 

 

 

Downloads and further information

 
Website soy network switzerland
WWF about soy (in German, French and Italian)
swissmilk about feed in Swiss milk production (in German and French)
General pictures Emmi
 

 

 

About Soy Network Switzerland

Soy Network Switzerland was founded in 2011. The 14 founding members – Agrokommerz, Bio Suisse, Coop, Egli Handels AG, Fenaco, Heinz & Co., IP Suisse, KM Commodities, Migros, Provimi Kliba, Schweizer Bauernverband, Suisseporcs, UFA and WWF Switzerland – have improved the sustainability of the production and procurement of soy for animal feed. By doing so, they strengthen the credibility of Swiss egg, meat and milk production.

 

About Emmi

Emmi is the leading Swiss milk processor and one of the most innovative premium dairies in Europe. In Switzerland, the company focuses on the development, production and marketing of a full range of dairy and fresh products as well as the production, ageing and trade of mainly Swiss cheeses. Outside Switzerland, Emmi concentrates on brand concepts and specialities in established European and North American markets, and increasingly in emerging markets outside of Europe. The primary focus in fresh products is on lifestyle, convenience and health products. In the cheese business, Emmi positions itself as the leading company worldwide for Swiss cheese. Emmi’s customers are the retail trade, the hospitality and food service sector, and the food industry.

In Switzerland, the Emmi Group includes around 25 production sites of every size. Abroad, Emmi and its subsidiaries have a presence in 13 countries, seven of which have production facilities. Emmi exports products from Switzerland to around 60 countries.

In 2016, Emmi posted net sales of CHF 3,259 million and a net profit of CHF 140 million. The company employs nearly 5,900 staff (full-time equivalents), of which 3,000 in Switzerland.