With the abolition of dairy quotas on the immediate horizon, markets and trade have not been the only topics of discussion on the industry in Brussels. Parliamentarians and animal welfare organisations have been also highlighting possible welfare effects on the physical herds also.

While in Ireland, high animal welfare levels are synonymous with quality and profitability, a lot of negative coverage in Europe is given to cows on zero grazing systems.

A commitment to examine the issue politically has been given within the institutions in 2015 and the EU’s food safety authority (EFSA) has set a deadline of February 13th for feedback on a review of data regarding small dairy farms in the EU, and ICOS is taking part in this.

The data review includes the number of dairy cows in the EU, farm size variation across countries as well as ways to categorise small farms.

We in ICOS feel that it presents an opportunity to underline the benefits of a co-operative based, family farm centred; grass based grazing systems to enhance our reputation in the area.

Further information on the consultation is available here:

http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/consultations/call/141210.pdf