International Dairy Federation

27/11/2024

🌟 Register for the IDF Circularity in the Dairy Chain Symposium 2024! 🌍

We are honored to feature Ignacio Gavilan, Senior Director of Food Systems Partnerships at The Global Food Banking Network, as a distinguished speaker.

With over 25 years of international experience in sustainability roles within the food & beverage and energy sectors—including at McDonald’s Corporation, BP, and the Consumer Goods Forum—Ignacio brings unparalleled expertise and passion for creating sustainable food systems. His presentation, "Food Banking as a Path to Lower Emissions and Waste", will explore impactful strategies for driving circularity in the dairy sector.

💬 As Ignacio emphasizes:
"Food banking drives circular economy by reducing food loss, redistributing surplus, and minimizing scope 3 emissions, delivering both environmental benefits and vital social support to communities in need."

📅 Join us virtually on 3-4 December 2024 to be part of these critical discussions.

🌍 Check out the detailed sessions and speakers: https://fil-idf.org/idf_events/idf-circularity-in-the-dairy-chain-symposium-2024/

📅 Register now to gain live and on-demand access to all presentations and stay at the forefront of sustainability in the dairy sector!
👉 https://shop.fil-idf.org/products/registration-for-the-idf-symposium-on-circularity-in-the-dairy-chain

27/11/2024

🌟 Join us at the IDF Circularity in the Dairy Chain Symposium 2024! 🌍

We are delighted to welcome Toine Timmermans, Managing Director of Food Waste Free United and Program Manager for Sustainable Food Chains at Wageningen University & Research, as one of our esteemed speakers.

With extensive experience coordinating EU projects such as FUSIONS and REFRESH, Toine has been at the forefront of innovation and research in food waste prevention across Europe. His presentation, "Avoiding food loss and waste through circular practices", promises to provide actionable insights for the dairy sector.

💬 As Toine shares:
"By implementing the ‘Target-measure-act’ approach to prevent food waste, companies set important steps towards their net-zero ambitions and increase profitability."

📅 This virtual symposium, happening on 3-4 December 2024, is a must-attend for those passionate about creating sustainable food systems.

🌍 Check out the detailed sessions and speakers: https://fil-idf.org/idf_events/idf-circularity-in-the-dairy-chain-symposium-2024/

👉 Register now: https://shop.fil-idf.org/products/registration-for-the-idf-symposium-on-circularity-in-the-dairy-chain

26/11/2024

🚨 The IDF Circularity in the Dairy Chain Symposium 2024 is Almost Here – Don’t Miss Out! 🚨

Join us virtually on 3-4 December for an exciting lineup of expert speakers addressing the latest advancements in circularity within the dairy sector. Whether you're a professional in the dairy industry, a researcher, or a specialist in sustainability, this symposium is a unique opportunity to learn from renowned experts and contribute to the future of sustainability in dairy.

🎓 What will you learn? Through presentations from top experts from companies, academia and organizations, you'll discover:
👉 Innovative methods for valorizing and upcycling dairy by-products in dairy farming and processing
👉 Cutting-edge technologies for circular waste management
👉 Approaches to reducing food loss and emissions in the dairy supply chain
👉 The global state of circularity practices in the dairy sector, with diverse regional perspectives
👉 The role of livestock in a circular bioeconomy and its environmental benefits

🌍 Full program now available! Check out the detailed sessions and speakers: https://bit.ly/3vxNgJO

📅 Register now to gain live and on-demand access to all presentations and stay at the forefront of sustainability in the dairy sector!
👉 https://bit.ly/4g2o0Nf

Registration Registration is now open. Find here the details for fees and payment, terms and conditions, and contact information for further queries. Early bird (Ending 11th November): Public 150 euros, IDF member 125 euros, Student 0 euros, company pack (5 participants) 500 euros Normal fee: Public...

25/11/2024

IDF participates in the 47th session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission this week in Geneva, Switzerland.

IDF Director General Laurence Rycken and Science and Standards Programme Manager Anabel Mulet Cabero, supported virtually by Nick Gardner, Chair of the IDF Food Standards Steering Group, are engaging with developments impacting the global dairy sector.

IDF has contributed throughout the year to a number of Codex texts relevant to the dairy sector that are up for adoption including guidelines for safe water use in food production and processing, nutrient reference values for persons aged 6 –36 months, revised allergen provisions in prepackaged food labelling, food information guidelines for e-commerce and use of technology in food labelling.

All these texts are important to ensure food safety, international trade, and consumer protection.

25/11/2024

Watch the 2024 IDF Pavel Jelen Early Career Scientist First Prize Winner, Maria Frizzarin's insightful testimonial at the on the focus of her research work, her career path and the challenges that women and young mothers face when pursuing a career in science: https://bit.ly/3CJH4BP

Watch the 2024 IDF Pavel Jelen Early Career Scientist First Prize winner, Maria Frizzarin's insightful testimonial at the on the focus of her res...

20/11/2024

🌍 IDF: Connecting Diets, Culture, and Collaboration Across the Globe 🌟

Dairy is a cornerstone of diets and cultural heritage worldwide, providing essential nutrition and enriching traditions for generations. The International Dairy Federation (IDF) plays a pivotal role in uniting actors, fostering collaboration, promoting the exchange of experiences and best practices, and giving support to the global dairy sector from a scientific point of view.

Today, the IDF delegation to COP29, led by IDF President Gilles Froment and former President Piercristiano Brazzale, visited the Milla Dairy plant in Azerbaijan, where they met with its CEO, Azer Vahabzada, and his team. Milla is a prominent player in the local dairy sector, and it is rapidly evolving to meet growing demands while staying rooted in quality and innovation.

By facilitating opportunities like these, IDF underscores the importance of working together to strengthen the dairy sector, ensuring its contributions to nutrition and cultural heritage continue to thrive worldwide.

20/11/2024

Tetra Pak Endorses the Paris Dairy Declaration on Sustainability at COP29

The Paris Dairy Declaration on Sustainability, an initiative launched by the International Dairy Federation (IDF) and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) at the IDF World Dairy Summit in October 2024 in Paris, was endorsed by Tetra Pak, a world leader in food processing and packaging solutions, at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of Parties (COP) 29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, on 19 November 2024.

The Paris Dairy Declaration on Sustainability reiterates and reinforces the dairy sector’s commitment to a sustainable transition of the whole value chain within all dimensions environmental, social and economic. The Declaration brings to light the tangible commitments undertaken by dairy operators worldwide towards the various UN Sustainable Development Goals, and sends a clear message to governments, decision-makers and the public on the dynamism of the dairy sector. The Paris Dairy Declaration continues the journey, initiated by the Dairy Declaration of Rotterdam in 2016, to answer the call of the UN 2030 agenda to leave no one behind.

The endorsement took place at the Swedish Pavilion at COP during a bilateral meeting between IDF President Mr. Gilles Froment and Tetra Pak’s Executive Vice President for Processing Solutions and Equipment, Mr. Charles Brand.

"This endorsement by a leading company like Tetra Pak amplifies the impact of the Paris Dairy Declaration on Sustainability and exemplifies the global dairy sector’s commitment to climate action and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We extend an invitation to all dairy organizations and leaders to sign and endorse the Declaration.” said Mr. Gilles Froment, IDF President.

“The Paris Dairy Declaration on Sustainability is an important statement on the dairy sector’s commitment to a sustainable transformation of the whole value chain. Tetra Pak has a long history in the dairy industry, with sustainability at the heart of that journey. Dairy is at the core of our food systems targets where we commit to driving change and being a positive influence on the way food systems can work in the future. We see from our customers a clear desire to drive transformative change. This declaration supports that journey and that is why we are happy to endorse it here today.” added Charles Brand, Executive Vice President, Processing Solutions and Equipment, Tetra Pak.

The purpose of the IDF Paris Declaration on Sustainability is to highlight the tangible commitments made by dairy operators across the various pillars of sustainability—climate, nutrition, health, economic security, and natural resource stewardship—while conveying to governments, decision-makers, and the public the dynamism and dedication of the dairy sector.

The endorsement act was attended by President, Mr. Gilles Froment, Board Member, Laurent Damiens, and former President, Piercristiano Brazzale.

19/11/2024

🌍✨ IDF at Elanco + IICA side event at COP29: From Pasture to Plate: Livestock’s Role in the Evolving Voluntary Carbon Markets

IDF President Gilles Froment participated in the event hosted at the Sustainable Agriculture of the Americas Pavilion during COP29, discussing how voluntary carbon markets (VCMs) can drive sustainable practices in livestock production. The session explored opportunities, challenges, and innovative approaches to aligning farm-level action with global climate goals.

🔑 Key Takeaways from Gilles Froment’s Presentation and the Panel Discussion:

👉 VCMs as Enablers of Change: VCMs offer significant potential to connect farm-level actions with food company carbon reduction targets. By incentivizing sustainable practices, VCMs can encourage systemic change in livestock production.
👉 Practical Measures for Farmers: Gilles highlighted impactful agricultural practices such as anaerobic digestion for biogas, the use of methane-reducing feed additives, and innovations like methane vaccines. These measures reduce emissions while boosting productivity.
👉 Inclusivity and Accessibility: Gilles emphasized the need for equitable access to VCMs, particularly for smallholder and developing-region farmers, who generate 75% of dairy-related emissions globally. Financial mechanisms like green funding are crucial to overcoming barriers for these farmers.
👉 Carbon Footprint and Sustainability Metrics: Building on IDF’s robust methodology for carbon footprinting, Gilles underlined the importance of consistency and transparency in measuring and verifying emissions reductions. The new Verification Tool (V1) will facilitate compliance and provide confidence for market participants.
👉 Beyond Carbon Offsetting: Gilles called for VCMs to go beyond simple offsets, focusing on deep, systemic changes that enhance circularity, resource efficiency, and biodiversity, while also addressing socio-economic factors such as rural livelihoods and labor conditions.
👉 Global Commitment to Sustainability: Gilles reiterated the dairy sector’s dedication to reducing carbon emissions, referencing the recently signed Paris Dairy Declaration on Sustainability, which outlines public, quantified, and time-tabled objectives for progress.

This event showcased how VCMs can be leveraged to align livestock practices with climate goals while driving socio-economic benefits. By adopting science-based approaches and fostering collaboration across sectors, the dairy industry can contribute meaningfully to climate mitigation and sustainable development.

Let’s continue advancing voluntary carbon markets to create a more sustainable and resilient future for livestock systems and the planet. 🌎🐄

Read more about the Paris Dairy Declaration here 👉 https://bit.ly/48aJh4C

19/11/2024

🌍✨ IDF at COP29: Low arbon, High Productivity Agriculture: Meeting Global Needs

On November 19, 2024, IDF President Gilles Froment took the stage at the Australian Pavilion during COP29 to discuss the critical intersection of productivity and sustainability in agriculture. The session emphasized practical solutions and emerging technologies to achieve net-zero agriculture while addressing global food security challenges.

🔑 Key Takeaways from Gilles Froment's Presentation:

👉 Context Matters: Farming systems must align with local environmental and economic resources. From intensive farms in the U.S. to smallholder systems in Africa, each approach must balance productivity and sustainability.
👉 Emission Intensity vs. Productivity: Efficiency gains in dairy farming could contribute 38–46% of the total emissions reduction by 2050. Improved practices, such as better animal health and precision feeding, are essential for balancing emissions and production.
👉 Sustainability Requires Balance: Gilles highlighted that sustainability is a three-legged stool—nutritional, environmental, and socio-economic. Focusing solely on one pillar risks trade-offs that undermine overall progress.
👉 Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and the Verification Tool: IDF’s LCA provides a structured approach to evaluating the carbon footprint of dairy production, ensuring consistency and clarity in reporting. The soon-to-launch Verification Tool (V1) will empower stakeholders to comply with this standard, enabling transparent and reliable tracking of emissions reductions. Gilles emphasized the integration of nutritional factors into LCA (nLCA) and the recognition of carbon sequestration as critical advancements.
👉 IDF's Carbon Footprint Guidance: Slide 5 of Gilles’ presentation underscored the importance of a systematic, transparent approach to assessing the dairy sector's carbon footprint. The IDF standard method and its accompanying Verification Tool are designed to ensure consistency across regions, support collaboration within the sector, and reinforce the industry's global reputation.

🔑 IDF’s Commitment to Sustainability:

The signing of the Paris Dairy Declaration on Sustainability by IDF and FAO in October 2024 underscores the sector’s strong dedication to measurable and time-bound objectives. Gilles called on global leaders and stakeholders to endorse the declaration, urging unified action to meet sustainability goals through robust frameworks and innovative tools.

Learn more about the IDF global Carbon Footprint standard for the dairy sector here 👉 https://bit.ly/3YUDE6z

Let’s continue building a low-carbon, high-productivity agricultural system for the planet and its people.

18/11/2024

A full agenda for IDF's delegation, led by IDF President, Mr Gilles Froment, at COP29 today:

IDF co-hosted the offical side event Advancing Animal Health for Climate Action, which was organized together with International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), BAIF Development Research Foundation, European Dairy Association, and International Development Research Centre (IDRC) to show how improved animal health can enhance productivity, reduce emissions, and tackle climate change. Mr Froment shared the panel with Dr. Appolinaire Djikeng, Director General of ILRI, Ms. Sophie Gregory (Dairy Farmer, Home Farm/Arla), Dr. Bharat Kakade (President, BAIF), Dr. Georgina Kemp (IDRC) and Dr. William R. Sutton (Bill) (The World Bank).

Mr Piercristiano Brazzale participated in IICA's side event Trade for Climate Resilience in Agri-Food Systems, moderated by IICA Deputy Director General, Mr Lloyd Day.

Also, IDF President, Mr.Gilles Froment, and IDF former President, Mr. Piercristiano Brazzale, met with Uruguay's Minister of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisehries, Fernando Mattos Costa, to discuss collaboration bewteen Uruguay and IDF.

Mr Froment and Brazzale acted as true dairy ambssadors showcasing the sector's commitment to the three dimensions of Sustainability (Social, Economic and Environmental) and Climate Action, reflected on the Paris Dairy Declaration, launched on 18 October at the IDF World Dairy Summit in Paris.

Read more about the Paris Dairy Declaration and the dairy sector's commitments here 👉 https://bit.ly/48aJh4C

18/11/2024

🌍✨ IDF's participation at IICA's side event at COP29: Trade for Climate Resilience in Agri-Food Systems

On November 18, Piercristiano Brazzale, former IDF President and member of the International Dairy Federation's delegation at COP29, joined the session at the IICA Sustainable Agriculture of the Americas Pavilion to discuss how trade frameworks and policies can bolster climate resilience in agri-food systems.

🔑 Key Takeaways from Piercristiano Brazzale's Insights:

Balancing Global and Local Needs: Piercristiano emphasized that resilient local dairy production, proven critical during crises like COVID-19, must complement international trade to ensure food security and rural livelihood sustainability.
Trade as an Enabler for Sustainability: He highlighted how trade in sustainable dairy products aligns with climate goals by reducing emissions while supporting nutritional needs and economic development.
Policy Innovation: Policies must encourage both global trade and local production to safeguard food security during global instability. Piercristiano called for frameworks that prioritize low-emission products and address consumer concerns regarding environmental impact, animal welfare, and health.
Comprehensive Approach to Sustainability: He underlined the importance of tackling GHG emissions at the farm level while considering economic and social pillars, showcasing IDF's carbon footprinting methodology and upcoming verification tools as industry standards for accountability.
Driving Change Through Collaboration: Multi-stakeholder partnerships are crucial to advancing climate-smart practices, fostering innovations like precision feeding, optimized resource management, and low-emission dairy production.
This session underscored the pivotal role of trade and collaborative policies in building climate-resilient agri-food systems while supporting global food security.

Let’s continue fostering innovation and resilience in the dairy sector for a sustainable future. 🌎🐄

18/11/2024

🌍✨ IDF COP29 Official Side Event: Advancing Animal Health for Climate Action 🌿

We are excited to reflect on the impactful session held on Monday, November 18, co-hosted by IDF and global leaders in livestock sustainability. The event, titled "Animal Health, Mitigation, and Adaptation: Innovative Financing for Sustainable Livestock Development," showcased the critical role of animal health in driving productivity, reducing emissions, and enhancing climate resilience.

🔑 Takeaways from IDF President Gilles Froment:

Context Matters: Every dairy system is uniquely shaped by its environment, whether family-run farms in New Zealand or high-tech operations in the Netherlands. Tailored solutions are vital for sustainability.
Productivity Through Health: Healthy animals mean productive farms. Robust animal health practices like mastitis control and optimal nutrition not only improve efficiency but also significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Global Examples: From Canada’s net-zero initiatives to India’s innovative nutrition projects, diverse strategies highlight how sustainability goals can be achieved in varied contexts.
Collaboration is Key: IDF's public-private partnerships exemplify how collaboration across the dairy value chain—from farmers to consumers—can drive meaningful progress in reducing GHGs while ensuring quality and safety.
By integrating advanced animal health practices, the global dairy sector is taking bold steps to align productivity with climate action. Let’s continue working together toward a sustainable future for livestock and the planet. 🌎🐄

This side event was co-hosted by International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), BAIF Development Research Foundation, European Dairy Association, International Dairy Federation (IDF), and International Development Research Centre (IDRC).

Find more about IDF's work on animal health in out latest Animal Health report here 👉 https://bit.ly/4fThl84