IDM ¦ Column
EDA Annual Convention
2021
Sustainable food systems and European dairy
Sustainable food systems and European
dairy was the general motto
of this year’s agm of the European
Dairy Association (EDA) held on
1 October in Brussels. The event
counted 90 live participants and about 100
online attendess spread across the world.
In the opening speech, EDA President Guiseppe
Ambrosi highlighted the European
lactopshère‘s ambitions in terms of sustainability.
The European dairy industry did not
wait for the EU Commission and the European
Green Deal but has taken the United
Nations Sustainable Development Goals serious
publishing carbon net zero objectives far
ahead of the Green Deal.
The industry‘s ambition is based on excellence
of products, processes and people,
Ambrosi said, which is recognized at global
level. Thus, the world is calling for more
European dairy. But for being an accepted
global player, the European Union must operate
on a secure basis in terms of energy,
workforce and security in food supply. Ambrosi
made it clear that any regulations under
the roof of Green Deal or Farm-to-Fork
must be science-based and science-assesed
calling for an official impact assessment by
the EU Commission.
Sustainable food systems and
european dairy
Prof. Roel Jongeneel, Wageningen University,
analysed probable consequences of
the Green Deal and the Farm-to-Fork Strategy
for the EU dairy industry and showed the
way forward. The EU’s key challenge is not
the environement, Jongeneel said, pointing
out to the Southern Hemisphere where
sustainability has not come as far as in our
place. But in the future, the effects of the
EU’s green policy will make cow herd numbers
decrease. This will especially happen in
the some 15 hot spots around the EU where
dairy is concentrated – with possibly serious
consequences for these areas.
The impacts of the various targets issued
by the Commission (a.o. 35% less
GHG until 2030, 50% less pesticides …)
have been partly evaluated by JRC, Jongeneel
reported. Overall, these targets
may lead to a 12% drop of milk production
depending on the region and an up
to 36% price increase. Farm income may
benefit only if markets work in favour. On
the processors‘ side, small players active in
domestic markets as well as large corporations
may benefit from the changes while
large co-ops that are dependent on world
markets and have a narrow portfolio may
be the losers, Jongeneel said.
The Dutch economist recommends that
while the Green Deal is the long-term vision
advancements should be made in incremental
steps in a regional approach.
The market, i.e. tradeable emission rights,
would be the best means to reduce emissions
in a cost-effective way, Jongeneel told
the audience.
The Green Deal and its
consequences
Lukáš Víšek, member of cabinet of First
Executive Vice President Frans Timmermans
and one of the main architects of the Green
Deal, said that the climate crisis we face
would not allow wasting time for improv-
28 · November/December 2021 ¦ international-dairy.com
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