FAO: dairy is key to combatting poverty

Dairy products are essential in the global fight against poverty and in improving food security. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the FAO, has acknowledged this in the Dairy Declaration of Rotterdam, a joint statement drafted with the International Dairy Federation (IDF).

The Dairy Declaration of Rotterdam was signed today by Ren Wang, Assistant Director General of the FAO, and by Jeremy Hill, President of the IDF. The signing took place during the closing session of this week’s world dairy conference in Rotterdam.

Both parties confirm that dairy products are critical to a balanced, nutritious and healthy diet. The production of dairy is thus important for local incomes, and such production makes an significant contribution to a country’s economic development. The declaration also confirms that the dairy sector plays a key role in ecosystem management, climate change and biodiversity around the world.

The FAO and IDF agree that tools and guidelines must be developed to simplify dairy production. Sustainable production methods must be supported and sustainability monitored.

The Declaration of Rotterdam also calls for the strengthening of dialogue between all stakeholders.

The Dairy Declaration of Rotterdam

Factsheet FAO Global facts