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Those that oppose traditional dairy farming for many of the reasons we have already listed seem convinced that organic farming is the answer.

However, the fundamental principles of dairying still apply within the organic industry. Continual pregnancies, unwanted offspring, problems of disease e.g. mastitis together with the distress of transport and slaughter.

A six month study of the major animal health and welfare constraints in organic livestock systems was completed by the Department of Agriculture at the University of Reading by the Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics Research Unit (VEERU). Thirty four dairy farms were surveyed. The highest ranking disease problem was mastitis. Infertility, milk fever and lameness were also commonly perceived problems. These are the trends common in conventional farms.

Current leaders in organic milk production (sometimes called biomilk) are Austria, Denmark and Germany.