Milk and dairy
Procuring organizations can make demands on sustainability aspects when procuring milk and dairy products. They can thus contribute to a more environmentally and climatically sustainable production with good animal welfare.
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| EU-organic product | Core | Technical specification | Milk and dairy from cows | ||
Criterion information Organic production promotes sustainable agriculture. Organic farming should respect nature's ecosystems and different natural cycles, and strive to maintain and improve the quality of soil, water, plant health and the health of animals. The balance between all elements is to be maintained and preferably improved. Criterion text Food products must be produced in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/848 of the European Parliament and of the Council on organic production and labelling of organic products. | |||||
| Organic product - addition milk | Advanced | Technical specification | Milk and dairy from cows | ||
Criterion information In organic production feed must be largely produced on the farm itself, be free from GMOs and must be grown without the use of unnatural chemical pesticides and mineral fertilisers. Contracting authorities that set the sustainability requirement at the advanced level for organic product also contribute to the implementation of extra measures for improving animal welfare and environmental sustainability, such as longer grazing period. Criterion text Products of milk must be produced in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/848 of the European Parlament and of the Council on organic production and labelling of organic products, as well as the following requirements:
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| Information about the origin of the raw material - egg and milk | Core | Technical specification | Milk and dairy from cows | ||
Criterion information Transparency and traceability in the food chain are important in order to be able to check sustainability parameters in the supply chain. By requiring that information about the origin of the raw-material is to be available and controllable, the procuring organization assures that traceability in the food chain is possible. Criterion text For products made from eggs and/or milk, information must be provided about the country of origin of the raw material, and it must be available to check when a tender is submitted. This information must also be made available or provided on request throughout the term of the contract.The information must include:
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| Surgical procedures under anaesthesia - beef and milk | Core | Technical specification | Milk and dairy from cows | ||
Criterion information Cattle are dehorned to keep the animals from injuring one another, or because the horns pose a danger to farm workers. Without anaesthesia, surgical procedures such as castration, dehorning and disbudding by cauterisation cause both pain and stress for the cattle, regardless of the age of the animal. Contracting authorities can contribute to ensuring that surgical procedures are carried out with less pain for the animals by requiring anaesthesia. Criterion text Beef and/or milk products must be derived from animals that have been anaesthetised during any and all surgical procedures, including castration, dehorning or disbudding by cauterisation. Dehorning by caustic paste, and castration by rubber ring are not permitted. | |||||
| Surgical procedures with anaesthesia and analgesia - beef and milk | Advanced | Technical specification | Milk and dairy from cows | ||
Criterion information In addition to anaesthesia given during surgical procedures on cattle such as castration, dehorning and disbudding by cauterisation, analgesia has been shown to reduce the animal’s pain-related behaviour during dehorning and castration. By setting criteria that analgesia must be administered in addition to anaesthesia, contracting authorities can contribute to surgical procedures being carried out with less stress and pain for the animals. Criterion text Beef and/or milk products must be derived from animals that have been anaesthetised during surgical procedures, including castration, dehorning or disbudding by cauterisation. Dehorning by caustic paste, and castration by rubber ring are not permitted. In addition to anaesthesia, analgesia (NSAIDs) must be administered during any and all surgical procedures. | |||||
| Responsible use of antibiotics - meat and milk | Core | Technical specification | Milk and dairy from cows | ||
Criterion information High and improper use of antibiotics in animal husbandry is associated with an increased prevalence of resistant bacteria.1 Increased antibiotics resistance constitutes a public health threat worldwide, and is an important sustainability challenge.2 Contracting authorities that set criteria regarding the responsible use of antibiotics can contribute to antibiotics being used only when necessary for the sake of an animal's health. Criterion text Animal food products must be derived from animal production where antibiotics are not used for the purpose of promoting growth or routinely as a preventative measure. Antibiotics may be given only to sick animals or as prescribed by a veterinarian to animals in groups in which disease has broken out, after a diagnosis of clinical disease in part of the group has been established. The total number of medical treatments must be documented along with the reasons for treatment and medical preparations used. 3rd and 4th generation cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones may be used only when microbiological examination and antimicrobial susceptibility tests show that there are no effective alternatives.
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| Health monitoring and preventive animal health care - milk | Core | Technical specification | Milk and dairy from cows | ||
Criterion information Healthy animals are crucial to animal welfare and food safety. Continual monitoring of health parameters enables deviations to be quickly detected, laying the foundation for the prevention of sicknesses in the animals. Contracting organisations that set requirements for health monitoring encourage preventative animal health care and healthy animals. Criterion text Milk must be sourced from dairy farms that continually document important parameters in connection with the animals' health and that implement preventative measures for hoof health. The following health parameters must be documented on an ongoing basis:
The parameters must be able to be monitored over time to allow corrective measures to be taken as needed. The following preventative measures must be implemented:
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| Grazing - milk | Core | Technical specification | Milk and dairy from cows | ||
Criterion information Keeping animals on pasture is good for animal health and allows them plenty of opportunity to behave naturally. Well-managed grassland farming is also a resource-efficient and environmentally sustainable way to raise cattle. Grazing can be done on grassy fields or land that is less suitable for growing grain and legumes etc. Contracting organisations that set requirements for grassland farming also contribute to grazing that can have positive effects on biodiversity. Criterion text Products made from milk must be derived from animals that are kept on pasture for at least 60 days during the grazing season, as defined in the country of production. Animals are considered to be kept grazing for one day if they spend time outside for a continuous period of at least six hours per day on land containing plants that can be grazed by the animals at such quantity and quality that it is possible for the animals to be able to graze naturally simultaneously. | |||||
| Reduced climate impact from production - beef and milk | Advanced | Technical specification | Milk and dairy from cows | ||
Criterion information Producing beef and milk can generate a considerable amount of greenhouse gas emissions through the animals' digestive process, the production of animal feed, fertilisers, and the conversion of natural land into farmland for grazing and fodder production. There are several ways to reduce the climate impact of beef and milk production, such as improving energy efficiency, the use of renewable energy and feed analysis. Contracting authorities that set criteria for reducing the climate impact of beef production can contribute to beef and milk being produced with less of an impact on the climate. Criterion text Beef and/or milk products must be derived from production where measures have been taken to reduce the climate impact. At least one of the following measures must have been implemented:
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| Roughage for calves - beef and milk | Core | Technical specification | Milk and dairy from cows | ||
Criterion information Providing calves with roughage from a young age promotes a healthy development of rumination and reduces the risk of illnesses caused by deficiencies. High-quality roughage is also positive from an environmental perspective. Contracting authorities that set criteria regarding roughage for calves contribute to good animal health and environmental benefits in farming. Criterion text Beef and/or milk products must be derived from production where calves have free access to roughage from no later than two weeks of age. | |||||
| More sustainably produced soy in animal feed | Core | Technical specification | Milk and dairy from cows | ||
Criterion information The cultivation of soy can entail large environmental risks due to the high use of pesticides, soil erosion, along with the risk for land use change and deforestation in species-rich forest and grassland areas. Contracting organisations can specify requirements that improve the prerequisites for a transition to a more sustainable production of soy. Criterion text Animal-based foods shall come from animals where the soy1, if included in the feed, is produced in such a way that, at a minimum, it covers the following:
It is adequate that the documentation of the traceability of the soy can be shown through a segregated supply chain (Identity Preserved or Segregated), or through the principle of mass balance, or through the principle for credits (Credits/Book and Claim). | |||||
| More sustainably produced palm oil in animal feed | Spearhead | Technical specification | Milk and dairy from cows | ||
Criterion information The large-scale production of palm oil can entail serious risks for both people and the environment, such as deforestation and decreased biodiversity. The criterium contributes to improving the conditions for a transition to a more sustainable cultivation of oil palm. Criterion text Animal-based foods shall be produced from animals where products from oil palm1, if it forms part of the feed, is produced in such a way that, at a minimum, it covers the following:
It is adequate that the documentation of the traceability for products from oil palms in the animal feed can be shown through a segregated supply chain (Identity Preserved or Segregated), or through the principle of Mass Balance, or through the principle for credits (Credits/Book and Claim). | |||||
| Feed without GMO-content | Spearhead | Technical specification | Milk and dairy from cows | ||
Criterion information Purchasing organisations that wish to contribute to restriction of the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in agriculture can require animals to be fed feed that does not contain GMOs. Criterion text Products of animal origin shall come from animals that have not eaten feed consisting of, containing or produced from genetically modified organisms (GMOs) during the rearing period. Traces of permitted GMOs1 may only be present in a proportion not exceeding 0.9 per cent for each individual raw material, provided that the presence is unintentional or technically unavoidable. | |||||
| EU-organic product | Core | Technical specification | Milk and dairy from sheep and goats | ||
Criterion information Organic production promotes sustainable agriculture. Organic farming should respect nature's ecosystems and different natural cycles, and strive to maintain and improve the quality of soil, water, plant health and the health of animals. The balance between all elements is to be maintained and preferably improved. Criterion text Food products must be produced in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/848 of the European Parliament and of the Council on organic production and labelling of organic products. | |||||
| Information about the origin of the raw material - egg and milk | Core | Technical specification | Milk and dairy from sheep and goats | ||
Criterion information Transparency and traceability in the food chain are important in order to be able to check sustainability parameters in the supply chain. By requiring that information about the origin of the raw-material is to be available and controllable, the procuring organization assures that traceability in the food chain is possible. Criterion text For products made from eggs and/or milk, information must be provided about the country of origin of the raw material, and it must be available to check when a tender is submitted. This information must also be made available or provided on request throughout the term of the contract.The information must include:
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| Surgical procedures under anaesthesia – meat and milk from lamb, sheep and goat | Core | Technical specification | Milk and dairy from sheep and goats | ||
Criterion information Castration of male lambs can be done to prevent unwanted mating when the lambs have reached sexual maturity, amongst other things. Goats may be dehorned to prevent them from harming each other. Without anaesthesia, such surgical procedures cause both pain and stress for the animals, regardless of their age. Contracting organisations can contribute to ensuring that surgical procedures are carried out with less pain and stress for the animals by requiring the use of anaesthesia. Criterion text Meat and milk products must be derived from animals that have been anaesthetised during any and all surgical procedures, including castration and dehorning. Dehorning by caustic paste, and castration by rubber ring are not permitted. | |||||
| Grazing and outdoor access - meat and milk from lamb, sheep and goat | Core | Technical specification | Milk and dairy from sheep and goats | ||
Criterion information Allowing animals to graze and spend time outside is positive for their health and gives the animals good opportunities to behave naturally. Well-managed grazing is also a resource-efficient and environmentally sustainable way of raising animals because it reduces the need for other feed. Animals can graze in grasslands, fields, or land that cannot be used for producing other types of food. Contracting authorities that set requirements for grassland farming and/or time spent in the open air also contribute to grazing that can have positive effects on biological diversity. Criterion text Meat and milk products must be derived from animals that have been able to graze or otherwise have access to the outdoors for a continuous period of at least two months per year during the grazing season as defined in the country of production. | |||||
| Responsible use of antibiotics - meat and milk | Core | Technical specification | Milk and dairy from sheep and goats | ||
Criterion information High and improper use of antibiotics in animal husbandry is associated with an increased prevalence of resistant bacteria.1 Increased antibiotics resistance constitutes a public health threat worldwide, and is an important sustainability challenge.2 Contracting authorities that set criteria regarding the responsible use of antibiotics can contribute to antibiotics being used only when necessary for the sake of an animal's health. Criterion text Animal food products must be derived from animal production where antibiotics are not used for the purpose of promoting growth or routinely as a preventative measure. Antibiotics may be given only to sick animals or as prescribed by a veterinarian to animals in groups in which disease has broken out, after a diagnosis of clinical disease in part of the group has been established. The total number of medical treatments must be documented along with the reasons for treatment and medical preparations used. 3rd and 4th generation cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones may be used only when microbiological examination and antimicrobial susceptibility tests show that there are no effective alternatives.
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The environmental impact from the production of milk and dairy products differs depending on the type of product and how and where the production takes place. Procurement authorities that require sustainability aspects in their procurement of milk and dairy products can contribute to a more environmentally and climatically sustainable production with good animal welfare. The area includes criteria that, among other things, contribute to the environmental goals of a non-toxic environment, a rich plant and animal life, a rich agricultural landscape and limited climate impact as well as the global sustainability goals in Agenda 2030; goal 2 no hunger, goal 3 health and well-being, goal 12 sustainable consumption and production, goal 13 fight climate change and goal 15 ecosystems and biodiversity.
In Sweden, approx. 375 kg of milk and dairy products were consumed per person in 2018. 72 percent of the consumption was produced in Sweden1. The share of Swedish dairy products in consumption has decreased overall since 19952. Imports are mainly from Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands and Germany. Statistics on imports of dairy products should be interpreted with caution, as the country of origin of the milk raw material may differ from the country of import. Some of the imports to Sweden are also sold on to other countries, which means that parts of the imports are not consumed in Sweden. In 2018, the organic share of Swedish production was almost 19 percent for drinking milk, 12 percent for fermented dairy products, 6 percent for cream and 2 percent for cheese3.
The climate impact from the production of animals comes mainly from feed production, animal feed digestion (for ruminants such as cattle, sheep and goats), manure and the conversion of natural land into agricultural land for grazing and forage cultivation4. Greenhouse gas emissions for milk and milk products vary between 0.9 and 15 carbon dioxide equivalents per kg, depending on the type of product, production method and origin5. In Sweden, the production of cow's milk is strongly connected with the production of beef, where approximately 32 percent of the beef comes from dairy herds6. The proportion of roughage and the use of soya and oil palm are some important sustainability parameters when it comes to animal feed. Soy and by-products of oil palm that are used for feed can be produced in a more sustainable way, for example by not producing in protected areas7.
Ruminants that graze keep landscapes open and contribute to several ecosystem services. Well-adapted grazing is important for the conservation and management of biological diversity8. Embankments, which are part of a crop rotation on arable land, are an important source of feed for ruminant animals and contribute positively to the farming system through, for example, a reduced need for pesticides and building up of soil fertility, carbon storage and carbon storage9. Outdoors also gives the animals increased opportunity to perform behaviours that are important for their well-being.
Globally widespread use of antibiotics for both humans and animals has increased the occurrence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in our environment10. Sweden, together with Norway and Iceland, has the lowest use of antibiotics for farm animals in Europe11. Preventive measures for good animal health and animal welfare contribute to keeping the use of antibiotics low. Animal welfare can be defined in a number of ways. EU animal welfare legislation which emphasizes that consideration must be given to animals as sentient beings is based on five freedoms that animals should enjoy: freedom from hunger and thirst, from discomfort, from pain, injury and disease, freedom to behave naturally and freedom from fear and stress12. Taking the animals into account as sentient beings means, among other things, that the animals' pain must be minimized, for example through effective anaesthesia during stressful and painful moments such as operative interventions and before slaughter.
1 Consumption is calculated as follows: production + import – export. Consumption corresponds to what the official statistics call total consumption. The values are based on the production and trade of milk, cream, milk powder, fermented products, butter and cheese. All figures refer to cow's milk. Jordbruksverket, 2023
4 Livsmedelsverket, rapport 17, 2013
5 Konsumtionsmjölk: ca 0,9-1,2 kg Co2/kg Ost: ca 5,3 Kg Co2/Kg (Sverige 31 procent fett, RISE 2019)-15 Kg Co2/Kg (Globalt genomsnitt 10-15 Kg Co2/kg Gerber et al, 2010)
7 The Consumer Goods Forum, 2016.
9 Albizua et al., 2015. Tidåker and Landquist, 2017. Regeringen, SOU 2020:4
10 World Health Organization, 2023
11 European Medicines Agency, 2019
12 European Convention for the Protection of Animals kept for Farming Purposes, 1976