Bryans takes over as IDF president

18-Oct-2016 - Last updated on 19-Oct-2016 at 08:13 GMT

Dr Judith Bryans has been elected president of the International Dairy Federation.

Dr Judith Bryans, chief executive of Dairy UK, has been elected president of the International Dairy Federation (IDF) at the World Dairy Summit currently being held in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

Bryans takes over from Dr Jeremy Hill of New Zealand who was elected at the 2012 World Dairy Summit in Cape Town, South Africa.

In her new role, Bryans will steer the work of IDF with the support of the IDF Board, the Science Programme Coordination Committee (SPCC), the IDF Head Office and IDF National Committees.

She has been involved with IDF at all levels since 2005.

Importance of IDF

Bryans said that the IDF is involved in every aspect of the dairy supply chain and is a trusted and respected partner for many international organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and Codex Alimentarius.

“With the support of the Board and the SPPC, I will work hard to strengthen our existing relationships and reach out to new global partners,” Bryans said.

She said that the work of the IDF is essential in creating a positive future for the dairy industry.

“We want to secure a positive and sustainable future for the dairy industry across the world and build on previous successes to put dairy front and centre in the global debate.”

Dairy UK

Bryans became the chief executive of Dairy UK in October 2013. Previously, she was Director of The Dairy Council, a position she held from 2006.

She is a board member of the IDF and the European Dairy Association (EDA), as well as organizations including The Dairy Council, Dairy Energy Savings and the Milk Marketing Forum.

MOU with IFAC

In other news at the summit, the IDF and the International Food Additives Council (IFAC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote the global harmonization of food additives and food ingredients for milk and milk products.

toe IDF World Dairy Summit - Dare to Dairy - is being held in Rotterdam.

IFAC and IDF agreed to cooperate in submitting relevant science-based information and positions to intergovernmental organizations such as Codex Alimentarius Commission.

In addition, the organizations will exchange relevant information and collaborate in aligning communication efforts relating to food additives and ingredients affecting the dairy sector.

Providing technical assistance regarding global specifications as well as the interpretation and implementation of regulations is also within the scope of the agreement.