Declaring for dairy
The UK and US have both signed the Dairy Declaration of Rotterdam, which recognises the major contribution that dairy makes to countries’ economies, the essential role of dairy in a balanced diet, and the key role the industry plays in addressing environmental degradation and climate change.
As processors and farmers both know, dairy is on the front line when it comes to seeing the effects of climate change and environmental degradation globally. As we are all responsible for making sure we leave the planet in a better place than we found it, it is heartening that large economies such as these have signed on. So far, 19 countries have signed the document, and it is important that more take the stand and sign the declaration.
I will be headed to the World Dairy Summit in Belfast next week, and I am looking forward to the variety and depth of conference topics on dairy that are being presented there. It is also a chance to catch up with dairy participants from around the world. It is amazing to me that although the dairy farming and processing industry is very diverse, there are many issues are common to anyone who makes dairy products, no matter where they sit.
In a world where it seems that lately, governments and their officials are working to be divisive, it is heartening to see that the dairy industry is coming together to help find solutions to issues that face everyone. We need more cooperation, not less, to solve problems.
