Van Dam endorses the NZO’s quality and sustainability strategy

The Netherlands is truly dairy country. Around the world, we are known for our dairy products. However, the Netherlands is also one of the most expensive countries for milk production. The NZO’s strategy is focused on the unique quality and sustainability of the Dutch dairy sector. During his first working visit to the dairy sector, State Secretary of Economic Affairs Martijn van Dam affirmed the added value of this strategy.

Van Dam’s first working visit to the dairy sector

The State Secretary’s first working visit to the dairy sector took place on Monday, February 29. His visit was centered around innovation, quality and sustainability. The State Secretary was welcomed at FrieslandCampina’s Innovation Centre in Wageningen, where he was given a tour of its sensory lab. After the tour, Van Dam spoke with Roelof Joosten (CEO of FrieslandCampina), Piet Boer (chair of the board of Zuivelcoöperatie FrieslandCampina U.A.), Werner Buck (Corporate Director of Public & Quality Affairs at FrieslandCampina), Klaas de Jong (COO of A-ware), and Tjeerd de Groot (Director of the NZO) about innovation, quality and sustainability in the dairy sector.

The dairy sector’s strategy

During their conversation, it became clear that the sector and the NZO reinforce and strengthen each other in innovation, quality and sustainability. This entails quality systems, shared monitoring, a proactive approach to food safety risks, 100% supervision of antibiotic use, climate-neutral development, continuous improvements in animal welfare, the preservation of grazing, and the protection of biodiversity and the environment. These activities contribute to realizing the NZO’s and dairy sector’s strategy, and will continue to set the Netherlands apart as a country of quality and sustainability in dairy.