MDC's head of farm management is elected new chairman of IDF environment committee

Brian Lindsay, MDC's head of farm management, has been elected chairman of the International Dairy Federation's (IDF's) Standing Committee of the Environment.

The committee meets annually during the IDF conference which was held last week in Dublin. The 40 strong committee of farmers and processors is made up from 49 IDF member countries including Australia, France, Germany, Greece, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Poland and USA.

The committee's main objective is to look at the effects of the environment on milk and milk products and the effects on the environment of dairying as an economic activity.

Every year findings from pre-agreed environmental projects run by action groups within the committee are presented and discussed to encourage world 'best practice' in dairy farming.

Brian Lindsay says: "We want to share proven models of environmental best practice in dairy farming and processing and develop truly global responses to preserve and modify the dairy industry for future generations. We also aim to understand and responsibly and proactively address any impact of the dairy supply chain on the environment.

"Members will be able to take on board proven new working methods much faster which can only be good news for the farmer, the end consumer, and our planet.

"For the past two years the committee has looked particularly at greenhouse gases and environmental and food quality issues at farm level. In 2007-2008 we will focus mainly on environmental issues at farm level, effluent treatment and removal of salts and dust emissions from dairy plant. In the future we hope to agree a universal methodology for lifecycle analysis in dairy supply chain."

"Over the next couple of years I hope to get more countries involved so we have an even larger pool of knowledge to call upon."

Brian replaces former chairman Martin Tynan from Glanbia plc in Ireland. Sophie Bertrand from the Institute de l'Elevelage in France is the new deputy chair, replacing Ines Coldewey, from IDF in Germany.