Dairy UK and WRAP sign Federation House Commitment partnership to reduce water usage

Dairy UK and WRAP have signed an agreement that will see Dairy UK become an official partner to the Federation House Commitment (FHC).

The FHC is a voluntary commitment for food and drink manufacturers administered by WRAP. This contributes to a wider food and drink industry sector target to reduce water use by 20% by 2020. The FHC asks participants to develop water reduction plans, affords them access to expert advice and site visits, and requires the submission of data to demonstrate progress made each year.

The partnership will see Dairy UK become the first new partner since the FHC’s inception, joining the Environment Agency, Food and Drink Federation, Defra and WRAP.

The partnership aims to promote greater awareness of water efficiency within the industry and facilitate wider participation from Dairy UK members. This has already led to the recruitment of a number of new companies, bringing with them twelve additional dairy sites. Dairy UK members now signed up the FHC are: Arla Foods, BV Dairy, Dairy Crest, First Milk and Müller UK companies Müller Dairy and Müller Wiseman Dairies.

Commenting on the new partnership Dairy UK Director Jim Begg said: “The dairy industry takes its environmental responsibilities extremely seriously and water use has to be at the top of the agenda for us in terms of a sustainable future.

“This partnership demonstrates our industry’s commitment to reducing its water consumption and will build upon and compliment the water reduction targets already set by the industry’s own Dairy Roadmap.”

Richard Swannell, Director at WRAP said: “In order to achieve water use reduction, through the Federation House Commitment (FHC), we need effective partnerships. As a result, I am delighted that Dairy UK has become an official partner. This will help to reduce water consumption further, saving businesses money and helping conserve an important natural resource.”