Dr Bryans opens the Dairy Industries Expo

The Dairy Industries Expo opened on Wednesday 29 October at NAEC Stoneleigh, with Dr Judith Bryans, chief executive of Dairy UK and honorary member and past president of the International Dairy Federation, joining as our first speaker. Her talk, “Sustainability without borders, the dairy sector’s global journey,” detailed the good work dairy is doing on its Dairy Roadmap in the UK, and dairy as an industry worldwide. “Five years ago, most of the discussions were talking about the challenges around reducing emissions, but the socials and economic pillars were being ignored. There were an an awful lot of calls in the global north to reduce dairy consumption and they were ignoring dairy’s nutritional, societal and environmental benefits. Many of the policies weren’t helpful or practical if the policy makers knew how dairy was made.

“I’m not going to dwell on this, as we’ve moved today to being really positive. In 2023, the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) held a conference about sustainable livestock transformation, and this year, held their second conference. Rather than negativity, the meeting was about partnership, scalability of sustainable solutions, with many people in both public and private sectors gathering for a wonderful start of season of sustainability events.

“Thanawat Teinsen, the assistant director-general, director of the animal production and health division (NSA) and chief veterinarian at the FAO, really engaged in collaboration with the dairy sector. All of his messages were very positive and collaborative.

“So, why did things change from negativity to positive? Covid, the war in Ukraine and the uncertain global geopolitical landscape have put food security and the importance of agriculture in the spotlight. World demographics have shifted, with the UN Department of Social and Economic Affairs predicting that 68% of the world’s population will live in urban areas by 2050. They will be more disconnected from food but will need more high quality food.

“At the same time, older people over the age of 65 are the planet’s fastest growing age group. By 2050, older persons will outnumber adolescents and youth (aged 16 to 25). The highest growth rate will be in Latin America and southeast Asia, so it’s on us and those we work with – more agricultural resilience is key now and for the future. In the global dairy sector, people are keen to partner and collaborate.

“Global dairy represents  630 million farmers, and six billion people consume dairy regularly. Around 37 million farms are headed by female farmers, and it is the top traded agricultural commodity by volume. A lot of people work in dairy, either at farm level and its subsidiaries – we matter, we’re significant, and we are also leading also in finding solutions for the environment.

“Meanwhile, there has been 80 years of IDF of partnership with the FAO. It is beautiful recognition of dairy leadership in the 40 countries globally, and includes a vast proportion of the dairy supply chain around the world, covering 85% of milk consumption, and all areas from farm to consumer. It is a global consensus, and a very strong part of it is in the UK. The IDF and FAO in the last few years have been developing initiatives that move us all together. We are looking at diverse farming systems, and innovations in some countries that can be used for others, with knowledge sharing, data collection and engaging –  dairy understands that if you want to tell your story, then you need to have the evidence base to do that.

“Last year in Paris, FAO came together with the IDF in the recognition that, when looking at the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, many will not be met without the help of the dairy sector. Sustainability, looks at nutrition and social and economic issues, and is different depending on what part of the world you’re from. What you see is different, depending on where you sit.

“Collectively and individually as countries, there is an awful lot going on in dairy. In there UK, there is the UK Dairy Roadmap. The one value chain, one vision, role came together, set targets and the most positive initiatives have come in between farmers and processors. We have never stood still with it and the whole value chain joined – farmers, processors, retailers, food service, government, NGOs. It sends a strong signal for our commitment to one value chain, one vision and being the masters of our own destiny, making sure whatever decisions are made are enacted.

“Other industries have now based their models on our roadmap, which was established back in 2008. We find that collaboration on the UK Roadmap is a great way forward, as it stops everyone running off in different directions. It has kept us together and the dialogue open as well as the opportunities, Right now, we are working on water quality, biodiversity and packaging, along with whole raft of areas. It is really helpful for those areas and the pathways reports identify priorities for the next five to ten years.”