World Milk Day on 1 June celebrates the benefits of milk and dairy products which are part of a sustainable and nutritious diet which contributes towards reducing hunger and alleviating poverty.
The Dairy Declaration of Rotterdam is a strong commitment and recognition by the dairy sector and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on the positive contributions of dairy to the UN Development Goals, said Dr Judith Bryans, President of the International Dairy Federation (IDF).
“The dairy industry helps to feed the world. Milk is a great source of high quality proteins, essential vitamins and minerals, providing billions of people with nutritional benefits,” Dr Bryans stated. “Milk is an important component of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle, and contributes to over-all wellbeing.”
On World Milk Day, we commemorate the efforts of thousands of dairy farmers around the world and the contributions of dairy processors and suppliers in promoting sustainability, which has major socio-economic impacts in a sector that involves over a billion people who derive their livelihoods from dairy production.
We commend IDF experts worldwide for sharing science-based knowledge and expertise with governments as well as standards and policy setting organizations. Each and every one involved in the dairy sector contributes to the supply of safe, sustainable and nutritious milk every day across the globe.
Both the IDF President and Director General Caroline Emond will address a World Milk Day Symposium in Daejeon, South Korea, on 1 June. The event is held in conjunction with their preparatory visit for the forthcoming IDF World Dairy Summit from 15-19 October 2018. The Summit brings together major players in the global dairy chain to share a networking platform to boost innovation and deepen knowhow.