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.
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