Editorial ¦ IDM
"Greening" works
without politics
Dairy industry has been for long on the path to sustainability
In recent years, dairy companies of all sizes throughout the European Union have demonstrated
the diversity of the steps already taken to "green" milk production, processing and consumption
and the wide range of contributions the dairy industry can make to sustainable development. In
this respect, the EU Commission's "Farm to Fork" strategy would not have been necessary at all,
because the dairy industry has been voluntarily pursuing the path of sustainability for some time
now – always with the consumer in mind, of course.
Nevertheless, the "Farm to Fork" strategy is certainly welcome by the European dairy industry,
because it is intended to make the European food system as a whole more sustainable. What is
not acceptable, however, is the compulsory labelling of origin for certain products, which is part
of the strategy. Only feasible guidelines for a voluntary origin labelling offer a way to meet the
information expectations of some (the fewest...) consumers while ensuring the functioning of
the EU Single Market.
"Farm to Fork" is closely linked to the other Green Deal strategies and must be seen in particular
in the context of the Action Plan on recycling and the Biodiversity Strategy. Only a consistent and
coherent approach to the various Green Deal strategies will be able to create a more sustainable
and resilient European food system. It is to be hoped that the Green Deal will not degenerate
again into one of the patchwork constructions so typical of the EU. The fact that von der Leyen,
of all people, is the figurehead for the Green Deal does not really bode well.
The consumer should also be able to make more sustainable decisions, according to Brussel’s
plans. It is to be hoped that the guideline is not shaped by aggressively presented ideology, but
that only credible and measurable methods are used, such as the ecological footprint for dairy
products (PEF). This value also takes biodiversity into account as an indicator and is therefore a
key parameter when assessing the sustainability of a food product.
As you can see, the tools for a sustainable dairy sector are almost all in place, now all that
remains is to convince politicians of them, says Roland Sossna.
September/October 2020 ¦ international-dairy.com · 3
Roland Sossna
Editor IDM
International Dairy Magazine
sossna@blmedien.de
international-dairy.com
/international-dairy.com
/international-dairy.com
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