First organic dairy farm in Vietnam certified by the EU

THE Control Union (Netherlands) confirms that Vinamilk’s organic dairy farm in Lam Dong is the first of its kind in Vietnam and is certified to EU Organic stardard EC 834/2007 and 889/2008. The products from the field to dairy farm and processing plants are all organic.

Vinamilk invested 500 dairy cows at the Da Lat Organic dairy farm in Lam Dong whose year-round temperate climate offers the ideal habitat for the herd. Application of innovative technologies also ensures cow welfare while promoting environmental protection and sustainability.

At Vinamilk's farm in Lam Dong, Vietnam, the cattle are free to graze the pastures and stay in open housing systems 

Richard De Boer, Control Union representative, said that the dairy industry in Vietnam has made significant progress in over 15 years. With the EU certification, Vinamilk went a step further with its first organic dairy farm in Vietnam, he said. “At the very first assessment, our Control Union experts were very impressed with the organic practice and management of Vinamilk Da Lat Organic dairy farm. To be honest, it is not easy to have the EU Organic certification at the first assessment but Vinamilk, with the leading advantage and strong foundation, has fully achieved. Vinamilk has brought the new organic trend to Vietnam dairy market.”

Phan Minh Tien, Executive Director of Vinamilk, added: “Organic standard is considered to be the world’s most premium quality standard with a strict production process: no chemical involvement, antibiotics, growth hormones nor genetic-modified ingredients. In Western countries, consuming organic foods, including organic milk, is becoming a popular trend in recent years because of its outstanding health benefits. We are proud to be the first EU standard certified organic dairy farm in Vietnam. This is one step further of Vinamilk on the journey of bringing premium nutritious organic products to consumers. Along with the global organic trend, we want our Vietnamese consumers to have access to EU standard certified organic products, manufactured in Vietnam.”

Being certified for the first organic dairy farm in Vietnam in accordance with European standard has marked an important milestone of Vinamilk on the journey toward global dairy market, and once again affirm the pioneer spirit of this Vietnam’s leading dairy manufacturer on setting a new premium organic trend to Vietnam dairy market.  

Control Union is a global network of inspection operations with a wide range of certification program.

Based on the EU Organic standards EC 834/2007 và 889/2008, Vinamilk’s first organic dairy farm in Vietnam has been developed according to the following requirements:

Selection of breeds and cow care

- Vinamilk organic dairy farm prohibits the use of chemicals, synthetic pesticides, synthetic fertilizer, additives and other stimulants.

- The farm does not use any genetic-modified substances. Organic milk from the farm do not contain residues of antibiotics and growth hormones. Cows are fed with 100% organic food.

- With the design of Vinamilk Organic Farm, cows are completely free to graze the pasture areas in favorable weather conditions. However, when it is hot or rainy, the cows can return to their stables with automatic spray-cooling system and rubber mattresses provide comfort. In addition to compliance with the international standard system, during construction, Vinamilk also selected seeds and breeds that are naturally disease-resistant, fit with local natural environment. Currently, the selected seeds and breeds in Vinamilk Organic dairy farms have strong immune system, ability to adapt quickly to local conditions.

Organic farming operation

- Apply rotation farming methods to ensure effective use of land resources.

- The farm also takes advantage of available resources such as organic manure from the cows and self-produces green organic food to serve the needs of the herd.

- The farm uses biogas renewable energy, solar energy, reduces greenhouse effect, which is environment-friendly. Waste is carefully treated in the farm to keep the environment clean.

Vinamilk organic dairy cows

In June 2016, after undergoing a rigorous selection process, the first herd of organic cows was transported by air to Vietnam to the company’s organic farm in Lam Dong.

3 No’s organic standards

The manufacturing process strictly complies with the “3 No’s” organic standards:

Non GMO (genetically modified organisms): Dairy cows must be fed with pasture and forage that are organically produced, free from GMOs ingredients. Feed products must be 100% organic that complied with organic standards.

No growth hormones used on cows: Dairy cows must not be treated with animal drugs especially growth hormones, within at least one year prior to the production of organic milk.

No antibiotics, pesticides and fertilizers residue: Dairy cows shall have access to year-round grazing on pastures, free from antibiotics, pesticides and fertilizers residue.