The UK dairy industry has endorsed a declaration to promote the sustainability of dairy systems worldwide.
The Dairy Declaration of Rotterdam will signal a recognition of the dairy sector’s commitment towards feeding the world with safe and sustainable products.
It was launched at the World Dairy Summit in 2016. In the last year 19 countries have signed up.
Leading UK dairy organisations endorsed the principles of the Declaration in an official signing in London on Thursday (19 October).
Signing the declaration were Dr Judith Bryans, Chief Executive of Dairy UK, Paul Vernon, Chairman of the Dairy UK, Gwyn Jones, chair of the AHDB Dairy Board and Michael Oakes, chair of the NFU Dairy Board.
The Dairy Declaration recognises the contribution that dairy makes to countries’ economies, the role of dairy in a balanced diet, and the role industry plays in addressing environmental degradation and climate change.
Dr Judith Bryans said: “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.
“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.”
Paul Vernon, Chairman of Dairy UK, said the UK is as a leading dairy producing nation.
“We are an innovative industry with a deep commitment to environmental good practice and nutritional benefit,” Mr Vernon said.
“We can take pride in the fact that our nutritious products can play such an important part in meeting global sustainability and nutritional responsibilities and ambitions.”
