Ms Laurence Rycken has been serving IDF for the last 12 years as science and standards programme manager championing for the role of milk and dairy in nutrition security. Ms Rycken is thrilled to extend her contribution to the organisation as director general. Already bringing with her an in-depth knowledge of the organization, fostering connections with the IDF community and proficiency in dairy, she aims to leverage the current position of the federation as the leading source of expertise and scientific knowledge of the global dairy sector.

Her appointment follows the upcoming departure of the current director general, Ms Caroline Emond, who is stepping down from the position after a successful 6-year tenure.

The Board of Directors wishes to thank Ms Caroline Emond for her outstanding performance in leading the International Dairy Federation from 2018 to 2024, and the General Assembly appointed her Honorary Member of IDF at its 2023 IDF World Dairy Summit.

Ms Emond’s achievements include positioning IDF as a leading and influential international organization, an active engagement with members and stakeholders, launching the IDF Dairy Innovation Awards and the Women in Dairy initiatives, as well as guiding and leading a dynamic and professional Head Office team. Ms Emond will remain in office until 31 March.

The Board of Directors wished Ms Laurence Rycken every success in her new position and all the best to Ms Caroline Emond in her future endeavours.

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Dr. Judith Bryans, who was the first female president of IDF and is now co-chair of the IDF Women in Dairy (WiD) Task Force moderated the session.

Lynda McDonald, also co-chair of the WiD Task Force, set the stage with insightful opening remarks, emphasising the importance of recognizing and celebrating the achievements of women in the dairy sector.

Dr. Esther Achandi from the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) shared compelling case studies, including a nutrition campaign in Rwanda, sparking discussions on the vital role of women.

At her turn, Becky Rasdall from the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) provided valuable insights into the significant contributions of women in the US dairy sector, showcasing stories of success and resilience.

During her presentation, Caroline Emond, first female director general of the IDF, launched the IDF Women in Dairy Knowledge Hub, an initiative aimed at providing resources and fostering collaboration for Women Empowerment in the global dairy sector. The Hub features reference reports, e-learnings, spotlights on women, rapport summaries, factsheets, webinars, blog posts, and case studies. The launch marks a significant step towards creating a comprehensive knowledge repository and a supportive community for women in the dairy sector.

“Gender equality and women’s and girls’ empowerment are essential to achieving all Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 UN Agenda for Sustainable Development, as well as ensuring food systems that are economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable. For generations, the dairy sector has been contributing to the empowerment of women. The new IDF Women in Dairy Knowledge Hub focuses on how the dairy sector is helping and can improve the empowerment of women to achieve broad social benefits,” said Emond.

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The 3rd annual awards are designed to demonstrate the innovation and dynamism of the dairy sector worldwide, offering a unique platform to showcase innovative processes, practices and products that improve the efficiency and sustainability of the global value chain, and contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

In its second annual edition, the awards attracted over 173 entries from 26 countries, with participation from every continent.

“Innovation stands as a defining trait within the dairy sector, a cornerstone that has anchored milk and dairy in the heart of sustainable and healthy nutrition throughout history. The remarkable entries showcased in the 2023 IDF DIA underscore this legacy. Looking ahead to 2024, our focus is set on catalyzing further inventive breakthroughs and enhancing increased participation,” expresses Caroline Emond, Director General of IDF.

“We are delighted to continue our sponsorship of the Dairy Innovation Awards in 2024. The dairy industry plays an important role in supporting livelihoods, food security, and nutrition. Enabling the transition towards sustainable dairy is one of our core pathways to driving food systems transformation at Tetra Pak, and innovation is at the centre of that transition. It is only by working together to optimise dairy processing and packaging technologies that we will reach our industry’s environmental goals, and the IDF DIA stands out as a moment to take stock of the successes along that journey,” says Charles Brand, Executive Vice President, Processing Solutions and Equipment, Tetra Pak.

Entries are invited in ten categories, with a focus on sustainable and community led initiatives, as well as advancements in new product development and innovative practices:

• Innovation in sustainable farming practices: a) environment, b) animal care, c) socio-economic
• Innovation in sustainable processing
• Innovation in sustainable packaging
• Innovation new product: a) dairy product with focus on human nutrition, b) food safety equipment
• Innovation in Women empowerment in the dairy sector
• Innovation in Climate Action
• Innovation in Marketing & Communication initiative building dairy category.

The awards are hosted by the IDF in partnership with Zenith Global, the food and drink experts. Further support comes from Tetra Pak, a world leading food processing and packaging solutions company, and Headline sponsor of IDF Dairy Innovation Awards 2024.

The IDF World Dairy Innovation Awards 2024 are open for entries from today, 21 February until 1 June 2024. The award winners will be announced in a Special Plenary Session on innovation at the IDF World Dairy Summit hosted in Paris, France on 18 October.

IDF members are invited to participate in the awards free of charge, with paid entry available to non-members. For further details and to proceed with registration, please visit the website or get in touch with us at communications@fil-idf.org.

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Named in honor of Professor Pavel (Paul) Jelen, an esteemed Czech-born Canadian scientist and educator who dedicated his career to dairy science and technology research, as well as mentoring and educating young scientists and technologists, the Prize exemplifies the importance of open communication in the field.

The high-quality applications received underwent a rigorous evaluation process by a distinguished panel of judges comprising experts from various disciplines related to dairy science and technology. The judges were drawn from several standing committees of IDF.

Without further ado, IDF proudly presents the winners of the “IDF Professor Pavel Jelen Early Career Scientist Prize 2023”:

First Prize: Davor Daniloski

Second Prize: Grace Lewis

Third Prize: Gunvantsinh Rathod

Davor Daniloski, the first-place winner, is recognized for his groundbreaking research on the potential impact of β-casein phenotype on the structure-function relationship of milk and dairy products.

Grace Lewis, the second-place winner, has made remarkable advancements in optimizing the formation of casein micelle nanoparticles using high-pressure homogenization and processing aids.

Gunvantsinh Rathod, the third-place winner, has introduced a novel approach using fibrillated whey proteins to enhance the functionality of milk protein concentrate and non-fat dry milk.

Each winner will receive a prestigious award acknowledging their remarkable achievements. Davor Daniloski, the first-place winner, will be granted an honorarium of €400. Grace Lewis and Gunvantsinh Rathod, the second and third-place winners respectively, will each receive a printed certificate recognizing their outstanding achievements. They will also be awarded an honorarium of €200 each.

The three winners will be invited to the IDF World Dairy Summit 2023 to be held in Chicago, USA from 16 to 19 October 2023. There, they will have the opportunity to present their work as a poster and as a short oral presentation. They will also have the chance to meet Professor Pavel Jelen himself.

Presenting their work at the annual World Dairy Summit will provide both candidates and awardees with an invaluable platform to showcase their research and expertise, fostering opportunities for further education, mentoring, and employment in the dairy sector.
 
“We firmly believe that this prize will inspire and incentivize candidates to dedicate their careers to addressing dairy-related issues, empowering a new generation of scientists and technologists committed to advancing dairy science and technology. Through their efforts, we aim to enhance the quality, safety, and nutritional value of milk and dairy products,” stated Dr. Geoffrey Smithers, a member of the IDF Standing Committee on Dairy Science and Technology and Chair of the Prize judging panel.

IDF extends its gratitude to all the participants and extends heartfelt congratulations to the winners for their outstanding performance.

For more information, please visit the IDF Pavel Jelen Early Career Scientist Prize section on the IDF corporate website.

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• Innovation in sustainable farming practices: a) environment, b) animal care, c) socio-economic
• Innovation in sustainable processing
• Innovation in sustainable packaging
• Innovation in new product development with a focus on food safety and consumer nutrition
• Innovation in Women empowerment in the dairy sector
• Innovation in Marketing & Communication initiative building dairy category

IDF is introducing two new categories this year. The first is the Innovation in Women empowerment in the dairy sector, aiming to recognize and celebrate the growing female leadership within the dairy value chain. The second is the Innovation in Marketing & Communication initiative building dairy category, designed to honour outstanding efforts in creating value for the dairy industry through effective marketing and communication strategies.

The 2nd annual IDF Dairy Innovation Awards serve as a global platform to showcase the engagement and dynamism of the dairy sector worldwide. They provide a unique opportunity to highlight innovative processes, practices, and products that improve efficiency and contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The IDF Dairy Innovation Awards 2023 are hosted by the IDF in partnership with Zenith Global, the experts in the food and drink industry. Tetra Pak is the headline sponsor for the awards.

IDF members can participate in the awards free of charge, while non-members have the option of paid entry. For further details and to register your interest, please visit the IDF Dairy Innovation Awards section on IDF’s corporate website.

Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to showcase your dairy innovations and contribute to the future of the industry. With the new closing date on 15 June, you have more time to finalize your entries and join us in celebrating the visionary leaders and ground-breaking advancements that shape the dairy sector.

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The conference will be a platform for attendees to come together and discuss global dairy trends, farm innovations, sustainability within the sector, climate change, nutrition and health in India. Speakers include Piercristiano Brazzale, president of the International Dairy Federation (IDF), Caroline Emond, the director general of the IDF, as well as Shiri Meenesh Shah, chairman of India’s National Dairy Development Board.

“To say that dairying in India has grown by leaps and bounds in the last seven decades of India’s independence would be an understatement. From a milk deficit in 1947 to becoming the largest dairy nation of the world in 1997, India has become a global powerhouse today,” the organisers note.

Small and marginal farmers are the driving force of the sector in the country. Globally, it accounts for 23 per cent of global milk production, with the dairy industry contributing 5.2 per cent to the national economy, the Indian Dairy Association says. It directly supports over 100 million farmers and has seen a 6.4 per cent increase in growth over the last five years.

Meanwhile, the industry has grown significantly over the last 20 years, supported by initiatives from the government. As a result, the nation’s milk production increased at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.2 per cent, from 146 million tonnes in 2014-2015 to 210 million tonnes in 2020-2021, according to the Indian government.

In June 2020, the government of India, in association with the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, announced a $2.1 billion (€1.95bn) infrastructure development fund, with an interest subsidy scheme, to promote investment by private players and MSMEs in dairy, meat processing and animal feed plants, which is expected to create 3.5 million jobs. There is an infrastructure gap of 120 to 130 million tonnes with investment potential of $18-20 billion.

Marketwise, butter and spreads are expected to expand by eight per cent CAGR, to reach $4.2bn by 2026. Owing to the increasing demand for dairy products by the growing population, higher purchasing power of the customers and an expanding aversion for unbranded and loose products, the government estimates that milk production should reach 628 million metric tonnes over the next 25 years.

Booking and details: www.indairyasso.org, or www.ideadairyconference.com

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I do think it is interesting, as it seems dairy has been doing the right thing for the last decade or so. The DSF has been around since 2013, and the Global Dairy Platform, its host, for longer. One looks at other sectors, such as meat and packaging, and realises their efforts, while very commendable, are a lot newer than dairy’s. The Dairy UK Dairy Roadmap has been in place since 2008 in the UK, and there are a lot of other efforts around the world that we continue to see making progress on dairy’s emissions footprint.

So, we continue to discuss what’s happening, as we know those countries where the emission are highest are usually in the places where the production is lowest per cow. Help is at hand, and the multi-national, multi-purpose group that has assembled to assist producers in those regions with making the best choices for their local systems, is impressive indeed. They range from the International Farming Community Network (IFCN) to the UN’s Food & Agriculture Organisation, and the International Dairy Federation, to name just a few of the many willing to assist and enable the average producer, who may have as few as one or two cows to tend.

Dairy farming is both a carbon sequesterer and a carbon emitter, but more than that, it is a source of food for many people on the planet. It is good work, to be done well.

• Suzanne Christiansen, editor, Dairy Industries International.
  Keep in touch via email: suzanne@bellpublishing.com
  Twitter: @dairyindustries or LinkedIn: Dairy Industries International magazine.

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The dairy industry, by virtue of its central place in a large portion of humanity’s lives, is also subject to whatever global and local issues are forthcoming. Giuseppe Ambrosi, the European Dairy Association president, notes the industry through the last decade has faced one crisis after another, with the year 2022 seeing everything from the war in Ukraine to the European Union’s implementation of the farm to fork strategy. “We are dairy realists, so it might get worse, but as dairy optimists we know we can cope with almost any challenge. Turbulent times are our daily dairy business.”

That being said, he noted, “Today we have more than turbulent times. We have the most serious crisis so far, with the impact of the Russian war and the shadow of climate crisis affecting not only our business like never before, but now in Europe and worldwide, we see the issue of food security as part of political agenda, with a 50 per cent food inflation rate in some products.”

Ambrosi said the EU commissioner had been alerted that the EU’s farm to fork strategy would lead to a 10 per cent drop in agricultural output, and to a decline in farmer income, while consumer prices would go up. It will also export agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, and simply move the problem elsewhere. The EDA was worried that the argument didn’t resonate with the EU at the time. “However, things are starting to change in Brussels, and there is now a broader resistance to the ideological approach to farming and agriculture. EDA has been the voice of reason in Brussels’ policy debate. The idea of economics and a stable, affordable food supply has finally gained momentum. We all want to reach climate neutral by 2050 and the only way is dialogue and support of those who can make a change. Dairy is a change maker,” he stressed.

“It’s not about punishing the farmer, all about supporting and incentivising the farmer. We do exactly that. We need to make sure we are part of the solution for achieving climate neutral by 2050 and maybe before. You can count on us to support the Spanish EU presidency with all our force. We all know milk is essential for life. Viva Europe y la latte.”

Ignacio Elola, president of Fenil, observed the spiralling prices of gas and energy has been hitting the sector hard, with the entire value chain suffering the consequences of this difficult situation, and with unprecedented costs of raw materials such as grain. He noted, “On 15 November, the world’s population passed eight billion, which means eight billion people who need sufficient, balanced, sustainable and quality food. Dairy will be a key fixture in supplying this.

“We are committed to Europe, but we need a regulatory approach that addresses the uncertainties,” he added. “We need to protect regional brands that are part of our culture and our countries, as our industry is a driver of change, and this convention proves that.”

Strategic sector

Luis Planas, the minister of agriculture, food and fisheries in Spain, stated, “The presence of the dairy sector is fundamental for the farming sector, and for our land, it is a strategic sector in Spain and Europe.” He also noted that the war in Ukraine and climate change, with issues such as abnormally high fertiliser prices are affecting the sector. The EU has allotted €179 million to support the bovine, ovine and goat sectors, and this is set to increase under the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to €321 million per year – an increase of 30 per cent for the sector, with 17 per cent more to the sheep and goat segments.

“It is important to keep on supporting the dairy sector in our promotion actions,” Planas said. “We have to ensure that each link of the chain creates value. I believe dairy is a key sector in Spain, in Europe and the world as well.”

Danone’s viewpoint

“We at Danone are dairy optimists, and we believe dairy can have a bright future. We believe in the power and goodness of milk, and the need for healthy and natural products,” Danone CEO Antoine de Sant-Afrique told the audience. “Milk is at the heart of what Danone does, and we are convinced there is an exciting future for it. However, you cannot be a dairy optimist without farmers. Farmers are at the very heart of it. It is very clear that without their passion and dedication, there would be no Danone yogurt, no Activia and no Actimel. The role of the farmers is absolutely crucial, by fighting climate change through carbon capture and opening plenty of opportunity.”

That being said, it doesn’t mean we don’t face significant challenges, he warned. “The bad news is the challenges aren’t going to disappear. The first one is the economic challenge since the war in Ukraine. We all know about feed and fertiliser, and its impact on both the short and long terms, as some farmers think there is not a future for their kids. Second, life is made worse for the consumer and people have less money to invest in our products.

“Another crisis is the environment – we are at the forefront. Dairy is being singled out due to the methane impact on global warming and its short-term impact. It is an issue that will stay with us, and a key issue on which our governments and NGOs are calling us to action. Regulations being implemented in the Netherlands, Belgium and Ireland on the environment, are feeding less factual debate on how dairy is not good for climate or health, and there the communications battle is becoming fundamentally defensive. Defensive battles are not won easily.

“They also lead nowhere. Stop being defensive, and start being proud of what dairy can deliver to the consumer and more people – products that are healthy, natural, but facing the challenges. We all need to take ownership of the conversation. We need to turn the challenges we are facing into leadership opportunities and be part of the solution.

“At Danone, we have seen first-hand the natural potential and resilience of a farmer and farming system. We have been working on it since 2016 – it takes money, learning, transformation and technology tailoring, as no two farms are alike. We are building a network of pioneering farmers, with simple principles of technology, such as restoring soil health and biology, working on crops and bringing biodiversity back. We have proven we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and are moving towards a 1.5-degree limit. We can do all of that and create a model that is profitable and viable. It is a major opportunity for the dairy industry.

“None of us will succeed alone. Collectively, we have a critical role to play. Working together in the private sector, along with NGOs and governments, and joining forces with other initiatives such as Pathways to Dairy Net Zero, I am confident that we can bring EU to reducing emissions of dairy in a way that maintains economic structure and social fabric of industry and countryside across Europe. The EDA can be absolutely instrumental in setting a new standard for the European industry, and give us back competitive advantage. By taking back the narrative and claiming the goodness of our product, we can tackle the challenges we are facing together. I believe it can be done.”

Outlook

Mary Ledman, global dairy strategist at agricultural bank Rabobank, explained that its 2030 global dairy outlook looks at where the product is in demand and where it will come from. She noted that China has increased its self-sufficiency by 10 per cent since 2017 to 80 per cent today. “China’s drive is having a ripple effect through our industry,” she observed.

Demand is expected to grow to 120 million metric tonnes by 2030, from its current 85 million. “When we look at who can supply that, it is falling very short,” she stated.

Around 55 per cent of global dairy trade is from the exporting regions where they are not increasing milk supply, with the EU being the “most iffy” number on the chart.

Meanwhile the carbon footprint for milk is not created equal around the globe, Ledman said. “The US is planning to meet its carbon commitments based on research and technology, while the EU is aiming on reducing cow numbers. In the last decade, the EU expanded their market opportunities, while the US looked inward, and ran away from trade agreements. However, now there is a golden opportunity for the US, as the EU has done a lot of heavy lifting on expanding US opportunities.

There are also challenges in emerging markets, she said. “With seven million metric tonnes of demand, Africa is adding people. If the EU cuts milk production to Africa, Africa is forced to produce more milk, and this is not going to lower emissions. Greenhouse gases don’t know borders.”

Ledman noted in the last couple of decades, the world has been fixated on China and its infant formula market. She suggests this may be misdirected, as by 2030, China is going to have 103 million people in the over 50 category. This amounts to one-third of the US population, all of whom need nutrient dense, functional dairy products. “If you look at Mexico, it’s the second largest dairy importer in the world by per capita consumption, and it’s where the over 50 category is also growing. In India, another market leader, the under 20 crowd is declining and they’re getting older. The only place where half of the population growth is going to occur is Africa, where over 80 per cent of the population under 50 years of age. When looking at the dairy of the future, are we producing the products that consumers will want to consume?” she wondered.

Spanish case

José Armando Tellado, the Capsa Food CEO, offered a farmer’s perspective. “We are committed with natural products and the ability of milk as a natural product. Our commitment is the care and respect for the field. We understand that it’s not just what we do, it’s the way that we do them. We are carbon neutral in our factories, and the first dairy company in Spain to be zero waste. We operate a test farm in Asturias for carbon credit certification, measuring and monitoring carbon footprints and technologies.

“One of the main concerns is land loss and whether people be able to eat in 2030. The Spanish population has increased by 17 per cent since 2000, due to immigration to 47 million. In that time, there has been a drop in farms from 60,000 to 10,000.

“However, production has grown, farmers are more professional, but we still need to take into consideration the issue that 40 per cent of farms are in areas of fewer than 2,000 people. Meanwhile, the average age is increasing for farmers and more farms don’t have enough financial capacity to fix this situation. Around 60 per cent will retire before 2030.

We are just worried about guaranteeing we have food, so we need to invest in the value chain, to make sense for all of us, and not leave anybody behind,” he stated.

Multi-national

Peter Giørtz-Carlsen, EVP Europe and member of the executive board, Arla Foods, rounded off the first session with his discussion of his company, which processes 30 billion kg of milk per year. Arla asks its farmers about 250 questions about climate yearly, as “it’s clear we have a huge role in providing healthy and nutritional dairy to the growing population, and are obsessed by being part of the solution on the climate journey.”

The company sees growth of around two per cent per year with Asia, MEA and EU as the main growth drivers. In Europe, there is growing demand for dairy and a huge need for high quality protein with low emissions, despite negative stories. “Consumers across the world recognise the importance of dairy, but recent volatility has put pressure on the whole industry,” he stated.

In the EU, the slow delivery of its Farm to Fork scheme, along with the issue with the consumer labelling, is further undermining confidence in the industry, Giørtz-Carlsen opined. Although there are strong headwinds economically, he stated that dairy processors have to think about critical challenges to create a sustainable food system. “Dairy will play a significant role, and we need to produce 50 per cent more by 2050. This year has shown the global food system is vulnerable to external shocks,” he observed.

Arla is increasingly focusing on managing the climate improvements into commercial opportunities, as otherwise, there will not be money coming back in to spend on the farm. “We should take a more proactive step and try and show the way forward. Arla is earmarking up to €500 million per year to incentivise sustainability activities on farm and we are putting farmers at heart of sustainability journey,” Giørtz-Carlsen said.

“It’s not only up to the authorities – it’s up to us. We need to be ambitious on the climate, show the way, and create a better understanding.”

In session two, Piercristiano Brazzale, the IDF president, spoke about the challenges facing dairy, including the shortage of supplies, costs, and inflation, as well as the pressure on livestock production to be more sustainable, food policies on sugar, fat and salt; front of pack labelling protecting the use of dairy terms, superior nutritional value of dairy products, position paper, growing of products in the market of codex labels, confirmation of a starting of a process of protection of dairy terms. “There is a need for greater recognition of livestock in sustainable systems. Animal and plant foods should not be thought of as competitive systems, but as complementary products,” he observed. “Dairy farming is one of the only sectors that has the opportunity for carbon sequestration as well as carbon emissions.”

Global milk production

Catherine Roux, GM of Lactalis southern Europe, one of the largest dairy processors globally, offered the opinion: “We believe dairy has a bright future, because we need to feed a growing population. Our dairy products are really cheap in terms of nutrition, and offer nutrients such as 56 per cent of a person’s calcium daily intake in a serving. This is naturally bioavailable, and not added, and so it is easily absorbed by the body. One has to eat a lot of cauliflower or almonds to meet the same levels.”

When looking at plant-based products, Roux observed, “They are here, and they will grow, but we are first and foremost committed to dairy. We do not oppose plant based, but we should be clear that we are superior to plant based. We have to be clear to our consumer, have to promote dairy, and not be defensive, when facing plant-based factions.”

Vicente Gómez Cobo, president of Femeleche in Mexico, gave an overview of the Mexican industry. He noted it is a large, diverse country with very different climates, some population growth, and a very rural population that is moving to urban areas, as well as 800 different cheeses. It is also a population that migrates north. Bank revenues into Mexico in the form of remittances from the US amount to billions. “Mexicans milk cows in the US, and then, when they come back, they buy cows and milk them,” Cobo said.

There are thousands of milk producers, and everyone’s interested in Mexican dairy, he noted. “However, we don’t need more milk, we need more capital. Companies are now looking for domestic milk. Milk and dairy has grown 12 per cent in value, but consumption has remained stable,” he said.

Charles Brand, EVP processing solutions & equipment, Tetra Pak wrapped up by noting, “Food systems today are unbalanced and complex. At COP27, food was the centre of the event. The dairy industry was very well represented. There is now global recognition that food is part of the challenge, but also part of the solution. Lot still to do to transition to sustainable, resilient food systems, but Tetra Pak agreed to support Pathways to Net Zero for dairy processing technologies. Food systems account for one third of GHG emissions, while one-third of food is lost. By 2050, we need 60 per cent more food to feed 10 billion people, without using more land and while lowering emissions.

The dairy sector is at a crossroads, with 20 per cent of milk produced lost or wasted currently. “We see the challenges as opportunities for the dairy sector. It is a win-win for people, the planet and common business to help the dairy industry decarbonise. Innovative technologies can get there by optimising production, by using a circular approach to dairy production,” he stated.

Packaging plays a critical role in the food supply chain, Brand noted. “Around 74 per cent of milk sold in Europe is packaged in beverage cartons, and 50 per cent in Europe goes for recycling. We are aligned with EU’s objective, but believe it should recognise the role of packaging for perishable food and its contribution to reducing food waste.”

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During the first session, experts presented on the role of dairy in maternal diets, for children and teenagers.The presentations found that good nutrition is key for health and wellbeing throughout life and can help us live our life to the fullest. Dairy products are nutrient-rich and are a source of protein, B vitamins, iodine, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin A, zinc and potassium, making them an excellent choice for nutritional needs at all ages and stages of life. The unique combination of nutrients and bioactive factors, and how they interact with each other in the dairy matrix, combine to produce the overall effect on health.

One of the main challenges during pregnancy and lactation is the increased demand for micronutrients, such as folate, vitamin B12, iodine and calcium. Dairy products contain these nutrients naturally, helping to nourish both mother and foetus, as explained by Professor Ian Givens from Reading University: “Those who chronically consume suboptimal amounts of calcium may be at risk of excessive bone loss and may need additional calcium to meet both foetal and maternal needs. Milk and dairy foods are often the primary sources of calcium which are generally of higher bioavailability than from other sources.”

The physiological and psychological changes that accompany us throughout adulthood lead to new challenges and needs, and the role of health professionals is to prevent and manage illness that may arise. Therefore, the second session of the symposium discussed the role of nutrition for the ageing population. Dairy, as part of a protein-rich diet, is essential to prevent Sarcopenia, a condition that reduces muscle mass and strength. Dairy’s protein content, especially in the amino acid leucine, is an essential ally in maintaining mobility and independence. “Acute protein intake increases muscle protein synthesis, essential for maintaining muscle protein anabolism and muscle mass. On the contrary, lack of protein intake, especially in breakfast, has been shown to increase the risk of skeletal muscle loss regardless of the age group”, Professor Fujita Satoshi from the Ritsumeikan University of Japan affirms.

Visit fil-if.org for more information.

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The award has been named in honour of Professor Pavel (Paul) Jelen, a Czech born scientist who has spent his career based in Canada and the US, developing academic work on Dairy Food Science and Technology, and encouraging, mentoring, and educating students and early-career scientists and technologists, and who recognises the importance of communication.

The ‘IDF Professor Pavel Jelen Early Career Scientist Prize’ will be presented at the next IDF World Dairy Summit, to be held in September in Delhi, India, and will thereafter be presented annually at every subsequent summit. This will provide an opportunity for awardees to showcase their work at the sector’s most relevant event of the year, thus providing opportunities for further education and mentoring and enhancing employment opportunities.

“The IDF Pavel Jelen Early Career Scientist Prize is an initiative of IDF aimed at promoting the engagement of students, graduates, and early career researchers in dairy food science and technology, and fostering their focus and dedication on relevant topics for the sector within a wide range of themes,” explains Geoffrey Smithers, member of the Standing Committee on Dairy Science and Technology at IDF.

“We are convinced that if we provide them with the right incentives to direct their careers towards dairy-related issues, we will be able to empower new generations of scientists and technologists devoted to dairy science, and thus continue to improve the quality, safety, and nutritious values of milk and dairy products,” he adds.

Qualifying early-career scientists and technologists are invited to make their submissions by 31 May 2022, through IDF at the following e-mail: info@fil-idf.org, addressing scientific and/or technological topics aligned with relevant themes in dairy food science and technology within the following fields: dairy science and technology, including processing and dairy ingredients; sustainability; standards of identity and labeling; dairy food additives, contaminants, residues, and processing aids, including analytical methods; dairy microbiology and dairy food safety, including hygiene microbiological analytical methods and global harmonisation of methods; dairy product composition, including analytical methods for components; and nutrition and health.

For more information, check the IDF Pavel Jelen Early Career Scientist Prize page, where you can find all details on how to submit your abstracts.

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“Dairy products provide high-quality protein, calcium, B vitamins, iodine, and many other nutrients which are essential for growth and development in children as well as supporting ageing muscles and bones” states Erica Hocking, chair of the Nutrition and Health Symposium Organizing Committee, and deputy-chair of IDF Nutrition and Health Standing Committee. “We hope this event will attract many nutritionists, dieticians, and health professionals from around the world to hear about the important role milk and dairy products play in the diet at all ages and stages of life,” Ms Hocking adds.

Public health institutions around the world highlight the importance of investing in health and nutrition during pregnancy and the first 1000 days of life to help children meet their full potential for growth and development and academic performance. Moreover, recent research suggests a need to continue promoting healthy growth and development beyond the age of two and focus on the first 8000 days to set them up for healthy adulthood. Also, with an increasingly ageing population, it is essential to consider the science that can help develop affordable and quality health services focus on older adults to promote independence and maintain physical, mental and cognitive health.

Accordingly, the symposium will be divided into two sessions for each of these age groups. “Maternal diets and child health: the benefits of dairy consumption by Professor Ian Givens from the University of Reading, United Kingdom, and “The place of dairy in dietary guidelines for young children” by professor Lisanne M. du Plessis from Stellenbosch University, South Africa are two of the presentations that will take place during the first session. “Dairy intake to reduce sarcopenia risk by Professor Satoshi Fujita, from Ritsumeikan University, Japan, and “Dairy consumption and ageing bones” by Dr Sandra Iuliano from the University of Melbourne, Australia are some of the presentations of the second session.

Attending the event is free, and details on how to reserve your place along with full details of the programme can be found on the IDF website here: fil-idf.org/idf_events/idf-nutrition-symposium-2.

To register directly for the event, click here.

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IDF WDS 2022 is an occasion for all dairy experts, leaders, and interested stakeholders, from around the world to connect, learn and exchange about the dairy sector worldwide. Among the Summit’s attendants will be business leaders, scientists and technicians, health and nutrition experts, marketing professionals, and a diverse, international audience. Under the theme “Dairy for nutrition and livelihood”, WDS 2022’s programme includes various scientific, technical, business, and marketing sessions.

The 2022 edition will also introduce new highlights as the IDF Dairy Innovation Awards and the Early Career Scientist Prize, both of which will be awarded during the event, as well as the existing awards and acknowledgments, namely the IDF Award, given in recognition of remarkable contributions to global dairy, IDF Prize of Excellence, in acknowledgment of an outstanding recent contribution to the Work Programme of IDF, and the Yves Boutonnat International Milk Promotion Trophy, a competition initiated in 1989 by the IMP Group.

Mr Meenesh Shah, chairman, NDDB, and Member Secretary INC-IDF said “India last hosted the International Dairy Congress in the year 1974. Those were the years when we kick-started our ambitious plan to become self-sufficient. Today India is the largest milk-producing country in the World and this feat has been achieved through millions of small and marginal dairy farmers for whom dairying is an important source of livelihood. The tremendous transformation of the Indian Dairy Sector in the last 50 years is worth witnessing and we are eagerly looking forward to welcoming all stakeholders to come to India and make the IDF World Dairy Summit 2022 truly a global event again.”

IDF’s president, Piercristiano Brazzale, says: “Participants will have the opportunity to rejoin the dairy community in person after two years during which most of the events were performed virtually”, and he adds: “This will give them the chance to personally interact and network with colleagues from all over the world.”

Mr Brazzale further says: “Attendants will also have access to the latest science and research, innovation and technology, and good practices applied to the dairy sector as well the state-of-the-art in business and marketing”, and he also affirms: “They will also be able to learn more about the Indian Dairy Sector, one of the largest and most interesting in the world. In this regard, the programme includes technical tours around Indian production and processing sites. We are very grateful to the Indian National Committee and for organising this Summit with the support of all IDF’s Standing Committees, community of experts and our Head Office.”

The registration process, open now, includes early bird benefits, and can be done through the event’s website: https://idfwds2022.com or through the IDF site: www.fil-idf.org

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“Dairy actors around the world have been actively engaged over the years in improving farming and processing of milk and dairy foods. It is important for IDF to stimulate and share light on innovative practices and processes in the global dairy sector. IDF Board is thrilled to present the IDF Dairy Innovation Awards 2022 which will demonstrate the engagement and dynamism of our sector”, said Piercristiano Brazzale, IDF president.

The awards will be hosted by the IDF in partnership with world-leading food and drinks consultancy Zenith Global, supported by headline sponsorship from Tetra Pak, the global food processing and packaging solutions company.

“Over the last few decades, we have played a leading role together with our customers, in helping make nutritious dairy products safe and available for consumers everywhere. But with the ongoing pandemic, consumer lifestyles, purchase patterns and needs have shifted significantly, and the sustainability demands on the industry are higher than ever before. We are keen to continue playing our part in this challenging evolution, working in collaboration with the dairy industry to be agile and innovate with technological advances, in order to meet the growing consumer demand in a secure and sustainable way,” said Adolfo Orive, president & CEO, Tetra Pak.

Entries will be invited in twelve awards categories, focusing on sustainable and community-led initiatives as well as new product development:

• Innovation in sustainable farming practices:
• a) environment, b) animal care, c) socio-economic
• Innovation in sustainable processing
• Innovation in research and development:
• a) farming, b) collecting & processing, c) new product development, d) food safety e) consumer nutrition
• Innovation in sustainable packaging
• Innovation in school milk programmes
• Innovation in Climate Action

The IDF World Dairy Innovation Awards 2022 will be open for entries from 1 April to 1 July 2022. The award winners will be announced on 12 September 2022 in an awards ceremony at the IDF World Dairy Summit in Delhi, India.

IDF members are invited to participate in the awards free of charge, with paid entry available to non-members. For further details and to register interest, visit the website.

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Sebastian Dates has over 20 years of experience in communications, advocacy and public affairs management for the agricultural sector in Argentina and Latin America. He has worked and contributed with some of the most prominent farming and dairy organizations of South America, like the Argentine Rural Society, FEPALE (Panamerican Dairy Federation), Rosario Board of Trade and Grupo Los Grobo, among others.

As communications manager, Sebastian Dates will play a key role to ensure an efficient flow of information between IDF and its members as well as to promote the science and technology that underpins the dairy sector and its activities. He will work closely with IDF’s director general, Caroline Emond, and the rest of the organisation in the development and execution of strategies and tools to generate engagement from associates, media and other stakeholders around the world. Mr.Dates will also focus on digital communications, web services and social media.

“We want to take IDF’s communications and public relations activities to the next level, and after a careful selection process we believe that based on his experience in the advocacy of the farming and dairy sectors of Latin America, Sebastian Dates can very much contribute to this goal”, states Caroline Emond, director general of IDF.

“I am very proud to contribute to the communication of a global organization that represents a sector that works 24/7 to nourish the world with safe and nutritious products in sustainable ways. My aim is to help all actors of the dairy chain such as farmers, producers and dairy workers to communicate and show their efforts and its results,” explains Sebastian Dates.

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The yearly edition takes readers through a journey of animal health and welfare and illustrates the importance of adequate animal care of dairy animals for sustainable production. The 15^th edition will dive into key topics like the power of the welfare language; cooling dairy cattle and providing appropriate shelter; indicators for mastitis and udder health; biosecurity and milk quality.

Through the formal and informal dialogues that took place this year such as the United Nations Food Systems Summit and COP26, it has become clearer that feeding the world’s growing population will require many different and innovative approaches, and that dairy will continue to be an important part of the global food solutions puzzle. While producing and delivering the wholesomeness of dairy is what brings the IDF community together, the IDF says we are reminded in this edition of the Animal Health Report that dairy production looks very different across our global member countries, and just like the challenge of feeding our growing world population, there is no one size fits all dairy production system.

The report will pinpoint countries from various continents like Nigeria, New Zealand, Chile, Israel, as well as across the EU, and what we can learn from their solutions to track mastitis and milk quality, biosecurity, disease detection and antimicrobial use and resistance. There is also a special chapter on antimicrobial use in animals by the OIE and another one of the SDGs and animal welfare.

Caroline Emond, IDF director general, says: “IDF’s dynamic work on dairy animal health and welfare supports constructive science-based dialogue within the dairy sector and it’s stakeholders on how to best approach animal health and welfare, its implications for disease prevention and the consideration of all aspects related to farm management, food safety, human health and dairy technology.”

The report is now available to download from the IDF website: IDF Animal Health Report N° 15 

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The 2021 edition is the result of close collaboration between dairy experts and key organisations around the globe and within the IDF. The report contains a wealth of information about the international dairy sector – including data tables, graphs, country reports and analyses for more than 50 dairy-producing countries from all five continents.

It also provides an in-depth understanding of the current macro supply and demand trends affecting the dairy sector. Its statistics will help the reader to better understand and deal with the many challenges and opportunities facing the global dairy market. Readers of the report will also find a dedicated chapter on the dairy situation in Denmark, the host of the IDF event this year.

IDF director general Caroline Emond said: “The World Dairy Situation 2021 is an essential read for decision-makers and dairy sector stakeholders concerned with continuously changing global dairy market conditions. To further meet the needs of our sector in this challenging period, the 2021 edition of the report also features a special chapter dedicated to the OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2021-2030.” 

The IDF World Dairy Situation 2021 report not only consists of written chapters on production, processing, prices, consumption, and trade but is expanded with 30 plus tables that give the reader a comprehensive overview of global dairy developments.

For the added convenience of the reader these tables, which cover all aspects of the dairy sector, and are accompanied by illustrative graphs, are available in electronic format – enabling direct use in the reader’s own documents. In this year’s issue, a full chapter is dedicated to the OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2021-2030, and the assessment of the dairy industries effort to reduce GHG emissions, which also ties into the IDF Global Dairy Conference ““A changing climate for dairy.”

The World Dairy Situation Report 2021 is available to purchase in the IDF E-Shop now. Until 15 November 2021, it is possible to buy the report for the reduced price of €350. After that date, the cost will revert to the full of price €500.

For more information, watch the IDF’s video.

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As Lactalis CEO Philippe Palazzi put it, “Every country had a lockdown, everything stopped, except the cows. They we still producing milk, and so we had to collect, we couldn’t miss one day, and everyone was collecting milk every day. The industry did not close one plant, and we had employees sleeping in the plants. I was really impressed how people were brave when doing their jobs.”

Like their health service counterparts, the dairy industry did not get a day off. Cows don’t know there are religious holidays, they just keep producing. And so, dairy processors provide for their countries every day, without fail.

Dr Judith Bryans also made a good point in her discussion of the Food Systems Summit, that the UN SDGs they are aiming for, dairy has already been working on, such as keeping people fed. “School milk programmes still continued to deliver even as school meal programmes stopped during the pandemic,” she noted.

The IDF continues to engage with the UN via national committees to help deliver on SDGs, and she said that the industry does have to continue to stay involved with these processes, as a lot of people at the summit were trying to influence the decision makers – who have particular ideologies and don’t want facts to get in the way of opinion. “There were some very hostile moments for dairy, which we had to work through. So we need to bring balance to the table, as can’t expect the world to understand us if we don’t engage,” she observed.

As an industry we are ahead of the curve when it comes to assessing climate change and making moves to lessen the load of dairy agriculture on the planet. But, like in the pandemic, we’re not getting a day off for this.

idfglobaldairy.org/programme-gdc

• Suzanne Christiansen, editor, Dairy Industries International.
  Keep in touch via email: suzanne@bellpublishing.com
  Twitter: @dairyindustries or LinkedIn: Dairy Industries International magazine.

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Erica Hocking, a senior nutrition scientist for Dairy UK, and the deputy chair of the IDF Standing Committee on Nutrition & Health, was the winner of the award for Prize of Excellence, for her outstanding work with IDF in the last years. She was an active member of the Action Team who collected information on School Milk Programmes around the world, and collated data, and produced analysis for the IDF School Milk Bulletin. She was also head of the organising committee for the IDF Nutrition and Health Symposium which turned out to be one of the most successful IDF events of this year, reaching hundreds of participants, and producing scientific excellence.

Piercristiano Brazzale, IDF president, who presented the award to Erica commented. “Due to Erica’s commitment this year, she has helped carry the message on dairy and health beyond the dairy community.”

The second award was for the Standing Committee Leader Recognition, handed over to Philippe Trossat, from France. Philippe is the director of analytical activities for milk and milk products of ACTALIA, centre of expertise for food. He just completed his 3rd term (in total 6 years) as chair the IDF Standing Committee on Analytical Methods for Composition. He has also led, or is leading now, the development or revision of many IDF/ISO standards.

Caroline Emond, IDF director general, presented the award to Phillippe Trossat commenting: “Philippe received this award for his outstanding leadership for a very technical committee that covers a wide range of analytical topics link to the composition of milk products. Despite a heavy work programme, he has kept meetings focused yet interesting, in recent virtual meetings. He has also kept in touch with Action Team leaders and staff, balanced the various input and used his broad expertise to ensure progress of the work.”

Finally, the last award was presented France with the prestigious annual Yves Boutonnat IMP (International Milk Promotion) Trophy award, for its #Fromagissons initiative. The award is particularly noteworthy given the challenging time the dairy sector has worked through. Covid-19 has seen consumers trust & consumption of dairy products increase alongside their view that dairy forms part of a healthy, sustainable diet.

The International Milk Promotion is an Action Team of the IDF Standing Committee on Marketing and regroups 19 member countries. Those countries nominate entries for the award, and the two finalists selected this year were CNIEL in France, and the National Dairy Council in Ireland.

A massive congratulations to all the winners and finalists of this year IDF Annual Awards 2021.

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Commenting on this announcement, Piercristiano Brazzale, president of the IDF said: “We’re very thrilled to welcome Mexico into the IDF membership. We look forward to working with them on the key issues facing the global dairy sector today. Mexico’s expertise and perspective will not only be valuable to the global dairy sector, but having this new country at the table alongside our broad members is incredibly important adding even more strength to our global voice, knowledge and expertise”.

As members of IDF, Mexico will benefit from being part of a dynamic network of leading dairy experts whose aim it is to support and develop the global dairy sector. The activities of IDF members promote policy dialogue, forge links, privilege from foster partnerships, build capacities and develop best practice within the dairy sector worldwide. They will also benefit from easy and quick access to all IDF publications and data, network with key influencers and global dairy experts, as well as contribute to joint responses to intergovernmental organisations. “With the recent addition of Mexico as a new member, IDF now represents over 75% of the world’s milk supply,” said Caroline Emond, director general of IDF. “I am deeply delighted to be collaborating with our new member on important dairy related issues and opportunities facing the global sector. Having Mexico as a member of the IDF community is an asset to us, and we cannot wait to work with them.”

The IDF National Committee in Mexico will be led by Carlos Villarreal. Describing the exciting news as a “powerful leverage of action”, Carlos Villarreal from IDF Mexico commented: “We are very happy to re-incorporate the International Dairy Federation, after a few years of absence, to collaborate from Mexico, to the objective of the IDF: “To nourish the world with safe and sustainable dairy products”.

Carlos Villarreal further concluded “We look froward working with IDF, help the sector in our country, and to add value to IDF. We are very thankful, looking forward to being with IDF in the present and the future.”

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As one participant in the recent webinar, “If it isn’t safe, it isn’t food: promoting food safety to achieve the 2030 SDG agenda,” noted, “Unsafe food does not nourish, and it can cause you harm.” It amounts to 600 million cases of foodborne illnesses per year, mostly in Asia and Africa, and this amounts to 475,000 people dying. Estimates are that one in ten people are getting sick from an ailment caused by their food, but this safety is currently neither measured nor managed.

Caroline Emond, director general of the IDF, also observed, “Food safety is at the core of the food system. Good food safety is essential to public health, to strengthen links between farmer, consumer and the food chain. Food safety is everyone’s business.”

So, it’s about getting a system together that can measure a country’s food safety parameters, and then employing a method to improve it. This should be done on a multiple country basis, as products cross borders from one country to another regularly. Ingredients in dairy products can come from afar as well. Basically, it is a sad thing when people get ill due to poor food safety, no matter where they reside on the planet. The UN Food Systems Summit is a way to try and alleviate that issue, and make sure that ending hunger is done in a way that is safe and nutritious for everyone.

• Suzanne Christiansen, editor, Dairy Industries International.
  Keep in touch via email: suzanne@bellpublishing.com
  Twitter: @dairyindustries or LinkedIn: Dairy Industries International magazine.

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