McDonald’s and Arla Foods announce partnership to boost farming sustainability initiatives
31st October 2025
McDonald’s and Arla Foods have joined forces with an ambition to drive nature initiatives across dairy farming.
Joining Arla’s Farm Ahead Customer Partnership programme, McDonald’s will work alongside Arla and its farmer owners to help create more sustainable change on farms across the UK, the companies confirmed.
The new phase of the partnership will see McDonald’s and Arla collaborate across ReNature, a biodiversity project that aims to identify the existing state of nature on organic farms and help farmers improve biodiversity, soil health and promote habitats for wildlife.
Taking place on around 60 UK dairy farms, the ReNature findings will then be shared across the wider milk pool and show what measurable improvements are made across Arla and McDonald’s organic farms.
Will Tizzard, Arla and McDonald’s farmer, said: “As organic dairy farmers, we’ve seen first-hand how focusing on soil health and biodiversity strengthens our herds and our businesses. Partnering with McDonald’s through our FarmAhead Programme and the ReNature project means we can measure what’s working and keep improving.
“It’s encouraging to have a customer investing in practical, nature-led solutions on the farm – support that helps us deliver high-quality milk today while building a more resilient, sustainable future.”
‘Shining a spotlight on nature within the dairy industry’
Paul Dover, UK agricultural director at Arla Foods UK, explained that through this long-term relationship, McDonald’s and Arla both have a shared ambition to reduce emissions alongside championing nature and biodiversity.
“In partnering on the FarmAhead Customer Partnership as the next stage in that relationship, it’s testament to McDonald’s commitment to working alongside farmers to harness innovation and support a resilient food system that creates more sustainable farming practices,” he continued.
Ellie Wotherspoon, agriculture and sustainable sourcing manager at McDonald’s UK and Ireland, added: “We are proud to support British dairy farming, without it, we wouldn’t be able to provide our customers with the delicious organic milk they enjoy in our teas, coffees and Happy Meal milk bottles.
“By joining the FarmAhead Customer Partnership, we are delighted to be building on our existing programmes with Arla and their farmer owners, and shining a spotlight on nature within the dairy industry to develop the great work that is already being done on farms around the country.”
As part of its Plan for Change initiative, McDonald’s UK & Ireland said it is committed to supporting resilient livelihoods and more sustainable outcomes through its Farm Forward programme, benefitting over 29,000 British and Irish Farmers.
Arla added that its science-based sustainability targets, particularly on scope 3. The FarmAhead Customer Partnership programme sees the collaboration between Arla, farmer owners and some of its key customers to accelerate on-farm carbon reductions and create the future for nutritious dairy.
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