The Circular Dairy Economy

Ahead of the World Dairy Summit, held in October 2016 in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, Circle Economy and FrieslandCampina explored the potential pathways for the Dutch dairy sector to transition to the circular economy. Findings are presented in the Discussion Paper - The Circular Dairy Economy.The global dairy sector provides livelihoods and vital nutrition to billions of people worldwide. It also faces major challenges and sustainable growth compatible with the intents of the Dairy Sustainability Framework is imperatively needed.Circular economy principles offer a promising avenue to resolve these challenges. A truly circular dairy sector is regenerative and closes nutrient, water, carbon and waste cycles while promoting biodiversity, optimising land use and safeguarding farmer income.The Dutch dairy sector is a recognised innovation leader and Dutch dairy farmers have an important role to play in leading a transition toward circularity. To start this transition, three archetype pathways were identified:

• Optimised grazing, which seeks to maximise the productivity of the land by combining biological and technological approaches to achieve circularity.
• Extensive grazing, which builds on biological processes and organic farming methods to close the soil-plant-animal-nutrient cycle locally.
• Intensive high-tech farming, which leverages technological solutions to close key cycles.

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