Latest news with #InternationalDairyFederation
Agriland
2 days ago
- Business
- Agriland
Irish woman elected president of European dairy trade association
Anne Randles has been elected president of the European dairy trade association Eucolait at the organisation's annual general assembly in Copenhagen. Eucolait, which is based in Brussels, has been the representative voice of the European dairy trading community since 1959. The organisation represents some 430 dairy trading companies from 21 countries, with an estimated combined turnover of €80 billion. Dairy trade association Anne Randles is the director of corporate affairs at Ireland's largest dairy export company, Ornua. She has served as a board member of Eucolait since 2008, during which time she previously held the position of vice president. In addition to her role at Ornua, Anne serves on a number of dairy industry related boards both in Ireland and internationally, including the International Dairy Federation (IDF) National Committee for Ireland, the dairy subsidiary board of Bord Bia and the board of Ireland's Butter Museum. Anne will succeed Frank Van Stipdonk as president of Eucolait, the recently retired chair and chief executive officer of Interfood Group. 'I am extremely honoured and proud to have been elected by the board of Eucolait as the association's president. 'Dairy trade globally is facing some unique challenges and opportunities and I look forward to leading the organisation and supporting Eucolait's role in promoting the interests of European dairy in what is a rapidly changing geopolitical trade policy environment. 'I also want to extend my best wishes to my predecessor, Frank Van Stipdonk, on his retirement and thank him for his exemplary service to Eucolait and European dairy trade,' she said. Jukka Likitalo, Eucolait's secretary general has worked with Anne for more than a decade. 'Her expertise, commitment, and vision are exceptional, and I look forward to deepening our collaboration for the benefit of all Eucolait members,' Likitalo said. Anne's election to the position follows that of the Irish Dairy Board's Ivan Hayes who was president of Eucolait from 2001 – 2007, marking the second time the presidency has been held by a representative of the industry from Ireland.
The Star
29-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Africa regional dairy forum spotlights innovation for sector sustainability
KIGALI, May 29 (Xinhua) -- The International Dairy Federation (IDF) Africa Regional Dairy Conference opened Thursday in Kigali, Rwanda's capital, spotlighting advancements, challenges, and opportunities in Africa's dairy sector. Running through Sunday, the event brings together industry leaders, policymakers, experts, and farmers to exchange knowledge and explore strategies for strengthening the continent's dairy value chain. The agenda includes scientific presentations, technology exhibitions, workshops, and networking sessions. In his opening remarks, IDF President Gilles Froment emphasized the need for cutting-edge technology and global partnerships to ensure the sector's long-term viability. "By working together, we can create benefits for producers, processors, suppliers, and everyone across the supply chain, as well as for consumers worldwide," Froment said. Dagmawi Habte-Selassie, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) representative and country director for Rwanda and Burundi, highlighted the dairy sector's central role in eradicating poverty and hunger through strategic investment in rural communities. "We see the dairy sector as an area of multiple opportunities, especially for job creation among youth in milk transportation, processing, and other value chain services," he said. Rwanda's Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources Mark Cyubahiro Bagabe highlighted both progress and challenges in the sector, citing a surge in annual milk production from more than 334,700 metric tons in 2010 to nearly 1.1 million tons in 2024. Per capita milk consumption also more than doubled during the same period. Bagabe noted, however, that only 10 to 15 percent of smallholder dairy farmers in Africa have access to formal training or finance. "Equipping them with the necessary skills and tools is essential for building a more resilient and job-creating dairy economy," he said. The conference aims to foster shared solutions to challenges such as climate adaptation, breed improvement, youth engagement, and market access-crucial elements for building a thriving dairy sector in Africa. Since 1903, the IDF has served as a global hub for scientific and technical knowledge in dairy, promoting safe and sustainable practices and products across the value chain.
Agriland
07-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
Cork to host major event on dairy powders and recombined milk
Dairy drying technology and recombined milk products will be the focus of a major international event taking place in Cork this month. The International Dairy Federation (IDF) Joint Symposium will take place from May 13 to 15 at the Clayton Hotel Silver Springs, Cork. The event, co-organised by Teagasc, IDF, and University College Cork (UCC), will bring together over 250 delegates from 25 countries to explore the latest scientific and industrial advances in dairy powders and recombined milk technologies. This three-day international symposium features a programme of keynote lectures, technical presentations, and panel discussions. Among those in attendance will be academics, industry leaders, technologists, policymakers, and students. Dairy With confirmed participants from Europe, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas, the symposium highlights Ireland's leadership in global dairy research. Seven internationally recognised experts will headline the symposium, including representatives from: Université de Lorraine (France); University of Minnesota (USA); Wageningen University & Research (Netherlands); Jiangnan University (China); Federal University of Juiz de Fora (Brazil); University of Auckland (New Zealand); University of Wisconsin-Madison (USA). The speakers will address cutting-edge topics in dairy science, processing innovation, and sustainable food systems. The symposium will feature several expert contributions from the Teagasc Food Programme. Researchers will present on key themes, including Dr. Noel McCarthy on powder morphology and reconstitution challenges; Dr. Jonathan Magan on seasonal optimisation of skim milk powder manufacturing; and Dr. Norah O'Shea on the use of advanced process analytical technologies in dairy powder production. Symposium Speaking in advance of the symposium, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) Noel Grealish, said: 'As minister with responsibility for new markets and research, I have seen first-hand the importance of building a sustainable and competitive dairy industry. 'As we look to the future, events like this strengthen our international partnerships and display Ireland's leadership in dairy science and technology. 'They play a key role in sustaining a competitive, research-driven agri-food economy'. Professor Frank O'Mara, director of Teagasc added: 'Teagasc is proud of its longstanding role in delivering research and innovation to support the advancement of Ireland's dried dairy sector, an industry with exports valued at approximately €3 billion annually and vital to rural communities across the country'.
