Morrisons to open beef supply chain to Arla farmers

Arla Foods has signed an agreement with UK supermarket chain Morrisons to cover its beef supply chain.

As per the terms of the agreement, Morrisons will include bull calves from its dairy suppliers that participate in the Arla UK 360 programme in its beef supply chain.

Dairy farmers supported by the supermarket chain will be able to sell their bull and beef calves to the calf rearing units of Buitelaar Production.

Morrisons agricultural manager Sophie Throup said: “As we work with Arla farmers making the transition to the Arla UK 360 standards we see the extensive efforts they are making.

“As we own our own abattoirs and end-to-end meat production, we saw an opportunity to connect the supply chains to support our dairy farmers even more.

“Having worked with Buitelaar since 2009 on developing the dairy beef market, we already have a good working relationship to build on through the extended programme for Morrisons Arla farmers.”

Belgian and British Blue crossed breeds are likely to become part of Morrisons’ beef supply chain.

A key standard of the Arla UK 360 programme requires that no healthy calf be shot or slaughtered before it is eight weeks old.

Arla Foods UK agriculture director Graham Wilkinson said: “This move by Morrisons to open up its supply chain to further support our owners, represents everything the Arla UK 360 programme envisioned.

“Arla’s farm owners see opportunities to evolve farming if we make a supply chain that works for everyone. This decision and the support through the supply chain with Buitelaar is the perfect example of how bigger change can be delivered in agriculture if we all work together.”