Graham’s Family Dairy recently hosted a meeting with the Scottish Government and key stakeholders in the dairy industry to discuss sustainable farming and the path to achieving net-zero emissions.
Jim Fairlie MSP, Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity, attended the meeting on August 14, which was organised by the dairy’s sustainability manager. The purpose was to provide Graham’s farmers and producers with a platform to share their perspectives on the challenges and opportunities in adopting sustainable farming practices.
Participants included farmers and producers from Graham’s Family Dairy, representing regions from the northeast to the west coast of Scotland. The gathering allowed for productive discussions with the MSP about the future of sustainability in Scottish farming, offering insights from those with a farming background on the obstacles the industry faces in meeting the Scottish Government’s ambitious net-zero targets.
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Jim Fairlie MSP commented: “I was pleased to attend this meeting to learn more about what our dairy sector is doing to reduce emissions. It is clear that many farmers and crofters are already taking important steps to make their businesses more climate-friendly.
“This is a small part of this government’s extensive efforts to engage with the industry on how we can improve the sustainability of Scottish agriculture. We are determined to continue with this constructive engagement across all areas of the farming sector.”
The day also featured a tour of the new state-of-the-art milking shed, showcasing the innovation and progress within the sector. Graham’s chairman and dairy farmer, Dr. Robert Graham, also participated, discussing the sustainability changes he has observed as the five-generation family business continues to evolve.
Annemarie Keenan, Graham’s Family Dairy sustainability manager, stated:
“We initiated this meeting to give our farmers a voice in discussions about sustainability and the future of the industry. While the farming community has already made significant progress in improving efficiency and reducing its carbon footprint, continued success requires alignment and cooperation from everyone involved — from farmers to policymakers.
“This was hugely successful and offered us the chance to engage in an open, constructive dialogue with MSP Jim Fairlie, sharing our experiences, celebrating our successes and addressing the barriers that still exist. We hope to continue to identify practical solutions and collaborative strategies that support farmers in their sustainability efforts and help the Scottish Government reach its ambitious climate goals. Our focus is on creating a sustainable future for the dairy industry, where our practices are environmentally responsible, economically viable and socially sound.”
Discussions during the meeting also explored innovative approaches to sustainability, streamlined processes, and necessary support mechanisms to drive meaningful progress across the sector.
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