Post by Sustainable Food Trust

🚨 Big Dairy under the microscope at London Climate Action Week 2026 Did you know that 60% of Britain’s milk now comes from cows which never go outside to graze? Instead, these cows live almost exclusively indoors and eat mainly grain – much of it supplied from overseas. If you didn’t know, you’re not alone. Britain said no to battery farmed eggs – conventional ‘battery cages’ were banned across Europe back in 2012, but what about cows? The Bureau of Investigative Journalism recently found that the number of intensive dairy farms has more than doubled in the past 10 years. Squeezed by ever tighter margins, dairy farmers argue that economic pressures leave them little choice but to farm intensively, turning away from allowing cows outdoors. Some argue that intensive farming is better for both animal and planet. What we do know however, is this sharp rise in Big Dairy remains clouded from public view – with images of green fields and traditional farms still displayed proudly on packaging. We also know that there is clear evidence pointing to a better nutritional makeup in milk from pasture-fed cattle. But what of the environmental impact and the implications for food security? What standards are there – or should there be – around transparency, trust and sustainability? As part of London Climate Action Week, we’ll be at Goals House on Wednesday, where SFT CEO Patrick Holden will join a debate moderated by BBC Food Programme’s Sheila Dillon. Featuring senior figures from retail, farming and nutrition, we’ll be discussing the realities of Big Dairy for farmers, animal welfare, human health and the UK food security.    ➡️ Want to hear more? Sign up to our newsletter – we’ll be sharing our key findings from LCAW, including outcomes from our discussion on Big Dairy: https://lnkd.in/egMCkbbQ    #LCAW #LCAW26 | London Climate Action Week 📷 Photo by Jason Taylor.