Column/News ¦ IDM
July/August 2021 ¦ international-dairy.com · 33
We are proud to contribute to a wide variety of goals relating
to sustainable development in all regions of Europe (and nearly
the world).
The European Dairy sector speaks its part in
the climate debate
Sustainable food systems need to consider a wide range of aspects,
starting with food and nutrition security, over wealth via
economic opportunities at all levels of society, social protection,
animal welfare, biodiversity and many more. Most of the environmental
aspects can be found in the concept of planetary
boundaries or the product environmental footprint.
While climate is the main target of much of the current debates,
it remains a ‘single-criteria’ item. It needs to be seen in a
wider context of environmental criteria together with social and
nutritional aspects.
The European dairy also recommends integrating the important
benefits it provides into the methodology, esp. the aspect
of carbon sequestration by dairy pastureland, that in addition
allows keeping land covered with plants in areas where else
aridity or erosion would destroy it. Methane calculation methods
are being discussed on global scientific level, and certainly
a balanced view needs to be taken in the debates.
We favour a wider approach and are proud to present the product
environmental footprint methodology for dairy products as
part of the solution, allowing quantification of sixteen different
environmental indicators. It allows global use and can be
adapted to further products.
The European Dairy sector supports dietary
recommendations
All of the EU countries have dietary recommendations, based
on their national eating habits and needs. These have been laid
down to allow growth and long-term health of the average person,
but often also certain groups of age or needs. A recent
overview of EDA has shown that in most countries the population
does not fulfil the dietary recommendations for dairy. From
a public health perspective as well, we can only encourage more
support to align to the recommendations and personal needs.
The high-quality protein, many macro- and micronutrients
including essential amino acids provided by dairy consumption
can only hardly be replaced by something else. Dairy products
provide these nutrients in the most affordable manner for all
ranges of the population.
The European dairy keeps animals at the
centre of its chain’s attention
Our whole production is based on healthy animals at the best
of their wellbeing. Only healthy animals can give milk in the
best quality and be part of the circularity between human food,
animal feeding, plant production and the environment.
Our suggestions for the take-aways
Environmental assessment is a main task for a credible and coherent
change, necessary to keep up a good image of dairying
activities. We would recommend taking a wide approach based
on several environmental indicators, more than on a single one,
and making the link to nutrition, meaning considering environmental
impact in relation to nutritional benefits of dairy.
With regards to nutritional assessment, it seems often forgotten
or left out due to poor data basis to consider the dietary
recommendations and true needs of the population, particularly
of special groups, although they are essential from a public
health perspective. It’s also relevant to consider the affordability
of food and the diets of our populations as important – dairy is
a low-cost and high-nutrition food group.
Social aspects of sustainability nutrition – as already mentioned
– are key. Dairy is a crucial actor for rural areas to maintain
employment, wealth and infrastructure, and allowing simple
start into self-sufficiency in poorer parts of the world is an
integral part of our social role.
Both environmental and social aspects can be found in the
role of dairy animals in keeping landscapes alive, first by keeping
the population there, then by grazing and safeguarding
difficult areas in e.g. mountains, dykes, etc. The role of dairy
for carbon sequestration is also important in safeguarding the
planet in better state, so it should be also recognised as of social
importance.
Some overarching aspects can be mentioned to close the view
on sustainable food systems for dairy and in general. The scientific
basis of food systems assessment is slim, and only few
studies exist; we recommend further studies and a balanced approach
on the way to more knowledge, especially as negative
trade-offs are not all known or predictable.
Improving consumer trust in A2
products
SwissDeCode
Swiss food testing company SwissDeCode has launched the
“A2 INSIDE Label”, an exclusive label intended to guarantee
consumers authentic A2 milk products and to fight food
fraud. SwissDeCode has developed the DNAFoil A2 Family
of Tests: the world’s first rapid, on-site DNA tests for A2
cows and A2 milk. Customers who purchase and conduct the
DNAFoil A2 Cow Test and/or the DNAFoil A2 Cow Milk Test
can apply to receive exclusive access to the new label.
SwissDeCode’s new label guarantees authenticity of A2
milk products (photo: SwissDeCode)
/international-dairy.com
