IDM ¦ IDF Column
COVID-19
Collaboration within the dairy sector is more important than ever
Author: Caroline Emond, IDF Director General
Dairy, whilst more essential than ever as an important
source of nutrition, has not gone unscathed by the
COVID-19. The global dairy sector is committed to
managing both the short and long-term impacts of
the crisis.
Billions of people around the world rely on dairy for nutrition
day to day. Consumers recognize that dairy products are nutrient
dense foods, supplying significant amounts of energy, protein and
micronutrients, including calcium, magnesium, selenium, riboflavin,
and vitamins B5 and B12. People around the world rely on
dairy every day so it is vital that we do all we can to help maintain
the integrity of the dairy supply chain.
As a staple food and an excellent source of nutrition, it is unsurprising
that there has been strong demand for dairy products.
However, the milk supply chain has seen major disruptions that are
preventing dairy farmers from getting their products to market.
Mass closures of restaurants and schools has created a shift from
wholesale food-service markets to retail grocery stores. Added to
this is the issue of health and welfare while helping to ensure sustained
production of safe food as well as minimising the risk of
transmitting COVID-19 between dairy workers.
In these troubled times, international collaboration within the
dairy sector and with the international organizations and national
governments is more important than ever to ensure food safety,
food security and nutrition and consequently public health. The
members of the International Dairy Federation (IDF) have been
working hard to manage the dairy chain and keep milk on shelves.
The IDF community, including farmers, dairy processors, producers,
service providers and suppliers and industry specialists together
with others in the supply chain have been working tirelessly
to keep the milk flowing, with several also donating to food banks
and persons in need during the crisis.
Maintaining a constant flow of information within the global
dairy sector with regards to actions taken, practical support and
best practice has also never been more important. Steps taken by
members of the IDF include the issuing public statements for consumers
32 · April 2020 ¦ international-dairy.com
on the safety measures put in place and commitment of
the actors of the dairy chain, information for farmers on how to
meet coronavirus challenges, information on protocols milk collection,
suppliers and storage.
Other resources by the IDF include links to specific COVID19
safety protocols for employees and crisis planning tips. Further
practical guidance includes how to milk cows while maintaining
social distancing; how to manage staff coming on and off farm;
address supply issues that may disrupt operations for farms and
factories; protocols for managing milk collection; specific biosecurity
considerations for Covid-19 and questions consumers may
have regarding the safety of dairy operations, including evidence
on the safety of dairy foods.
IDF continues to engage with intergovernmental organizations
and sectoral organizations. For example, on 3 April, IDF participated
in a webinar organized by WHO on the protection of work
forces in food industry and retail and will continue to be part of the
conversation at an international level.
“The challenges that the global dairy sector is facing in order to
produce, process and deliver dairy products at present should
not be underestimated. Everyone involved in the dairy supply
chain is working tirelessly to ensure there are enough nutritious
and safe dairy foods for people to eat particularly in these times
of crisis. As the leading source of scientific and technical expertise
for all stakeholders of the dairy chain, IDF brings the
global sector together to ensure that everyone has access to the
resources they need to deliver nutritious dairy foods in these
unprecedented circumstances.”
As information continues to evolve quickly, communications available
from the IDF are being continually developed, and COVID-19
situation will be closely monitored so we do our part to ensure the
safety and availability of dairy products throughout the world during
this time of emergency. For relevant information and resources
on COVID-19 and dairy, please visit www.fil-idf.org