The Wildlife Trusts have called on the Government to extend environmental permitting to intensive dairy and beef farms, as a new report warns that the rise of "mega-dairies" is pushing nature to breaking point.
The report, Doing Dairy Differently, says the shift towards larger and more intensive dairy systems is putting growing pressure on the land, water and wider environment that farms, people and wildlife all depend on.
More than 40 mega-dairies now operate across the UK, according to the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, with the largest housing 2,600 cows. Unlike intensive pig and poultry units, large dairy and beef farms are not subject to the same government monitoring, meaning their size and environmental impact go unchecked.
The number of farms keeping cattle indoors all year round has more than doubled over the past decade, increasing the volume of slurry that has to be stored and managed. The Wildlife Trusts' analysis of recent Environment Agency figures found that dairy activity was responsible for 71 per cent of serious agricultural pollution incidents in England, damaging rivers, contributing to algal blooms and harming wildlife.
Lane: 'We cannot measure the health of the dairy sector by output alone'
Gemma Lane, Land Use Policy Manager at The Wildlife Trusts, said the problem was the system rather than a lack of good practice on farms.
"Our new report proves that we cannot measure the health of the dairy sector by output alone. The current system is driving poor outcomes including increased pollution and exposure to the impacts of climate change. Yet, when properly embedded into farming practices, nature can be part of the solution. Farms that work with nature are already reducing their reliance on costly inputs while building resilience to the challenges ahead."
The report argues that a supermarket-profits led system too often rewards volume over resilience and pushes risk back onto farmers. New Maximum Sustainable Output analysis in the report suggests lower-input, nature-friendly systems can improve returns while cutting environmental pressures and reliance on costly inputs such as artificial fertiliser and concentrated feed.
What the Wildlife Trusts want
- Stronger regulation of the highest-risk dairy systems, including permitting for very large housed units and farms with little or no grazing, alongside investment in slurry storage and pollution prevention.
- Better advice and support for farmers, including farmer-to-farmer learning on nature-friendly methods and nutrient management.
- Greater support for organic and regenerative dairy through agri-environment schemes and fairer supply chains.
"The UK Government must extend environmental permitting for intensive dairy and beef farms so that their impacts can be properly measured and managed. At the same time, it must invest in a dairy sector that is resilient to climate pressures, while supporting farmers' livelihoods. With the right funding, advice and supply-chain support to embed nature into farming practices, more farmers can reduce pollution risks, restore local wildlife and build profitable, sustainable businesses fit for the future."
