Canadian Support for the International Dairy Federation Initiative to
Highlight the Dairy Industry's Environmental Commitment

BERLIN , Germany , Sept. 24 /CNW Telbec/ - The Canadian dairy industry is joining others from around the world today in highlighting the dairy industry's environmental commitment. At the International Dairy Federation (IDF) meeting this week in Berlin , seven international organizations(1) representing the global dairy industry signed the Global Dairy Agenda for Action - Climate Change.

The Global Dairy Agenda for Action commits to five points of action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and promote the long term sustainable supply of milk and dairy products. This will include work undertaken with IDF and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to develop a standard methodology to assess the carbon footprint of milk and dairy products. This work will allow the dairy industry worldwide to use the same basis for calculating the carbon footprint of their dairy products and to identify areas for improvements.

"The Canadian dairy industry is actively seeking solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions," says Gilles Froment(2), President of FIL-IDF Canada attending the IDF World Dairy Summit in Berlin . "Initiatives and programs conducted by Agropur Cooperative, Dairy Farmers of Canada , Gay Lea Foods Co-operatives and Saputo Inc. are proof that the Canadian dairy industry is committed to concrete action to mitigate GHG emissions. These initiatives are highlighted in the 'Green Book' and website unveiled today by IDF and its partners."

The 'Green Book', officially called 'Initiatives to Create a Sustainable Dairy Industry' and the website www.dairy-sustainability-initiative.org currently feature 260 case studies from 40 countries, including Canada . They will be updated periodically and reported on at least every two years to record progress and announce new initiatives.

"The dairy industry worldwide is committed to transparency in their plans to improve environmental sustainability," said Richard Doyle (3), President of IDF. "It makes good sense to reduce GHG emissions - it improves profitability and efficiency of production, processing and distribution. This initiative will encourage the adoption of innovative technologies and practices throughout the Canadian dairy supply chain from farm to consumer."

As part of our action plan, FIL-IDF Canada is organizing an Environment Sustainability Conference for Canadian dairy industry stakeholders on March 16 and 17, 2010.

FIL-IDF Canada is a non-profit organization which acts as the Canadian National Committee of IDF and promotes through international cooperation and consultation, the solution of scientific, technical and economic problems in the international dairy field. It brings together dairy producers, processors, federal and provincial governments, agencies, universities, colleges, research institutes and private companies involved in the Canadian dairy industry.

The declaration Global Dairy Agenda for Action and the 'Green Book' can be viewed at www.dairy-sustainability-initiative.org

IDF news release: www.fil-idf.org

    
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    (1) Signatories are the International Dairy Federation (IDF), the
        International Federation of Agricultural Producers (IFAP), Global
        Dairy Platform (GDP), SAI Platform, European Dairy Association (EDA),
        the Pan-American Dairy Federation (FEPALE) and the Eastern and
        Southern African Dairy Association (ESADA).

    (2) Senior Director, Policy and Corporate Affairs, Canadian Dairy
        Commission.

    (3) Executive Director, Dairy Farmers of Canada.

    

For further information: Pierre Doyle, Executive Director, FIL-IDF Canada, Assistant Director - Dairy, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, [phone], [email protected]; Thérèse Beaulieu, Assistant Director, Communications and Policy, Dairy Farmers of Canada, [phone] x 2751, Cell: [phone]