Group Bel Canada invests $3.7M to support the decarbonization of Canadian dairy production
Group Bel Canada has entered a strategic partnership with Logiag, an agricultural technology and agri-environmental consulting firm, and its Dedicated Dairy Farms program.
The partnership is supported by a $3.7 million investment over five years from Group Bel Canada to “provide concrete support to dairy farms in adopting sustainable and measurable practices contributing to the responsible evolution of the Canadian dairy sector,” states a press release.
The company has set decarbonization targets across its entire chain, including a 25% reduction in indirect greenhouse gas emissions and sourcing 100% of its milk and fruit from farms transitioning to regenerative agriculture by 2030. Upstream dairy production represents approximately 35% of its total emissions.
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Logiag’s Dedicated Dairy Farms program works directly with 34 dairy farms in Quebec and across the dairy value chain to measure and reduce on-farm greenhouse gas emissions. The program also develops personalized roadmaps and prioritizes the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices.
As part of its involvement in the program, Group Bel Canada aims to reduce carbon emissions from its upstream dairy supply dedicated to Mini Babybel production at its Sorel-Tracy plant by approximately 30%.
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"Group Bel Canada has been present in Canada for more than 70 years. Since launching our Babybel plant in Sorel-Tracy in 2020, we have been manufacturing more than 90% of our products locally in Quebec,” said Cristine Laforest, chief executive officer, Group Bel Canada, in the release. “This partnership with Logiag is a natural next step for us with the intention of supporting producers toward long-term agricultural resilience and acting as a generator of positive value in Canada. As a company committed to its mission, this project enables us to achieve our objectives in a concrete way, while complementing the efforts already underway within the Canadian dairy industry."
