Innovation is the driving force that will enable the dairy sector to “produce more, waste less, and continue providing nutritious, high-quality products” the outgoing president of the International Dairy Federation (IDF) said in Paris today (Tuesday, October 15).
Speaking at the IDF World Dairy Summit 2024, which began today and runs until Friday, outgoing president Piercristiano Brazzale, also warned that “reducing emissions is a priority” for the global dairy sector.
“The global dairy sector has already embarked on this journey, with many of us producing in increasingly sustainable ways,” he said.
Brazzale also stressed to the audience in Paris that “it’s equally important to recognise the positive environmental impacts of dairy farming, such as ecosystem services”.
A theme that was also taken up by Laurence Rycken, IDF’s director general, who said that “dairy is part of the solution for a sustainable future and it must be part of the conversation to leave no one behind in the efforts to feed the world with safe, nutritious and sustainable foods”.
Dairy sector
Against the backdrop of major challenges for dairy producers throughout Europe the outgoing European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Janusz Wojciechowski, told industry leaders and experts at the summit that dairy farming has “deep roots” in our past and plays a vital role in our present food system.
“To secure its future, we must work together to enhance the resilience, viability and sustainability of family dairy farms,” he told the event.
The outgoing European Commissioner also said that he wanted to “express my gratitude to farmers, processors and the whole value chain for contrinuting to global food security”.
Separately the IDF Women in Dairy Report 2024 launched in Paris highlights the “substantial contributions of women” within the global dairy sector.
According to Rycken this report “illustrates how women in the dairy sector are driving progress and fostering well-being in their communities, while also contributing to the overall sustainability of our sector”.
“Women are key to unlocking the full potential of the dairy sector,” Rycken said.
The IDF also outlined that the report is part of its ongoing efforts to ensure women’s contributions to the dairy sector are “recognised, valued, and supported”.
The report highlights The Agri-Food Diversity & Inclusion Forum (AgDIF) in Ireland as an example of “women empowerment in every step of the value chain”.
You can now read the most important #news on #eDairyNews #Whatsapp channels!!!
🇺🇸 eDairy News INGLÊS: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaKsjzGDTkJyIN6hcP1K
