Co-op, in partnership with its supplier Dunbia, will financially reward farmers in its beef supply chain for sustainable farming practices.

The new two-year Beef Sustainability Pilot will enable Co-op to monitor the impact of integrating sustainable farming practices within its beef supply base. It will also help to provide accurate emissions data and will inform actions on an integral part of Co-op plans to be net-zero by 2040.

Farmers in the pilot group, representing around 10 per cent of Co-op’s beef supply chain, will be supported throughout the programme and have access to a bespoke emission reduction plan. Farmers will receive a sustainability dividend linked to the level of reductions achieved over the course of the programme.

Joseph Keating, Co-op’s agriculture manager, said: “Recognising and rewarding farmers who are leading the way and making positive changes to reduce their carbon footprint is important in developing a more resilient and sustainable agriculture industry, so we’re thrilled to announce our new Beef Sustainability Pilot at Co-op alongside Dunbia.”

Farmers will look to integrate different farming practises to lower carbon emissions, and as each farm is different, farmers will implement the options that have been recommended as part of their individual emissions reduction plan.

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