Danone CEO Highlights Dairy Industry Challenges and Future at World Dairy Summit
Source: DairyNews.today
Danone’s CEO, Antoine de Saint Affrique, addressed key global challenges facing the dairy industry during his speech at the World Dairy Summit in Paris this week. Introduced by M. Janusz Wojciechowski, EU Commissioner for Agriculture, de Saint Affrique spoke alongside other industry leaders about the critical role dairy plays in global nutrition and the pressing need for sustainable practices in the sector.
The World Dairy Summit is an annual gathering that brings together key stakeholders across the global dairy value chain, including producers, processors, suppliers, and policymakers. It serves as a platform for discussing the sector's innovations, challenges, and opportunities, with a focus on sustainability, nutrition, market trends, and technological advancements.
During his speech, de Saint Affrique emphasized the nutritional importance of dairy products, particularly yogurt, which he described as "among the most nutrient-dense foods available, providing healthy diets for billions of people worldwide." However, he acknowledged that dairy farmers face significant challenges, including the financial pressures of modern farming and the growing impact of climate change.
“Farmers are the solution, not the problem," he stated. "Through collective action, we believe they can play a crucial role in combatting climate change and regenerating nature." De Saint Affrique underscored Danone’s long-standing commitment to supporting dairy farmers, noting the company’s over 100-year history in the dairy industry. However, he cautioned that addressing systemic challenges would require collective effort across the industry.
Looking ahead to the COP16 and COP29 climate negotiations, de Saint Affrique called for stronger public-private partnerships to mobilize the necessary financing to support farmers. "Public-private partnerships must work harder to unlock the financing farmers need to drive the transition to sustainable food systems, safeguard livelihoods, and ensure food security for generations to come," he urged.
As the industry grapples with both the environmental and economic pressures of modern dairy production, de Saint Affrique’s remarks underscored the need for collaborative solutions to secure a sustainable and resilient future for dairy farmers and the industry at large.
During his speech, de Saint Affrique emphasized the nutritional importance of dairy products, particularly yogurt, which he described as "among the most nutrient-dense foods available, providing healthy diets for billions of people worldwide." However, he acknowledged that dairy farmers face significant challenges, including the financial pressures of modern farming and the growing impact of climate change.
“Farmers are the solution, not the problem," he stated. "Through collective action, we believe they can play a crucial role in combatting climate change and regenerating nature." De Saint Affrique underscored Danone’s long-standing commitment to supporting dairy farmers, noting the company’s over 100-year history in the dairy industry. However, he cautioned that addressing systemic challenges would require collective effort across the industry.
Looking ahead to the COP16 and COP29 climate negotiations, de Saint Affrique called for stronger public-private partnerships to mobilize the necessary financing to support farmers. "Public-private partnerships must work harder to unlock the financing farmers need to drive the transition to sustainable food systems, safeguard livelihoods, and ensure food security for generations to come," he urged.
As the industry grapples with both the environmental and economic pressures of modern dairy production, de Saint Affrique’s remarks underscored the need for collaborative solutions to secure a sustainable and resilient future for dairy farmers and the industry at large.
