UK latest to sign up to Dairy Declaration
The Dairy Declaration of Rotterdam, a partnership between the International Dairy Federation (IDF) and the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) is intended to recognize the dairy sector’s commitment towards feeding the world with safe, nutritious and sustainable products.
UK dairy organizations endorsed the principles of the declaration in an official signing in London.
Signing the declaration were Dr Judith Bryans, president of the IDF and chief executive of Dairy UK, Paul Vernon, chairman of Dairy UK, Gwyn Jones, chair of the AHDB Dairy Board and Michael Oakes, chair of the NFU Dairy Board.
Importance of dairy
Bryans said she was delighted the UK has joined countries from across the world in demonstrating the importance of the dairy to the global community.
“When the UN set its Sustainable Development Goals, it was clear that dairy was part of the solution in terms of ensuring delivery of a number of goals around nutrition, healthy populations, a healthy planet and helping to lift people out of poverty,” she said.
“The world’s population is growing and dairy plays a key role in meeting their needs. To be fit for the future, we must be innovative and ensure we have products that are culturally acceptable, nutritious, safe, sustainable and affordable.”
Oakes said, “For the NFU, the Dairy Declaration builds on the excellent work of the Sustainability Roadmap, as well as building on the social, economic and nutritional benefits of dairy, highlighting the important role it plays in rural economies around the world.”
The Dairy Declaration of Rotterdam was launched at the World Dairy Summit in 2016. In the last year, 19 countries have signed up.
