Over 80 delegates from more than 15 different countries assembled in Muak Lek, Saraburi, Thailand for a two day meeting focused on moving the Dairy Asia Program from development into implementation.

Delegates were a mix of cooperatives, Farmer organizations, Governments and academics who are all seeking the same goal, to improve the sustainability performance of the Asian dairy sector.

Jeremy Hill, President of the International Dairy Federation and Governor of the DSF, spoke about the future opportunities for a sustainable Asian Dairy Sector and how organisations like the IDF and key Global Programs such as the Dairy Sustainability Framework allow local ownership and development while also benefiting from a collaborative and knowledge sharing approach to continuous sustainability improvement.

The GDAA Advisory Council has the role of considering and challenging strategic developments by the Governors from their respective area of expertise.

In January we welcomed two new members to this important group; Erinch Sahan from Oxfam GB will provide important input on the social aspects of the Framework’s activities and Ajit Maru from The Global Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR) will provide an important conduit to the global academic community providing a valued academic contribution to the work of the Advisory Council.

Ajit Maru, B.Sc., M.V.Sc., Ph.D. studied veterinary sciences at Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University and specialized in Veterinary Medicine at G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology. Read more here

Erinch is a global advisor on business and markets for Oxfam, working across Oxfam's programme and campaigning work. During his time at Oxfam, Erinch has also led Oxfam's policy and campaigning team on food and climate justice. Read more here

We are pleased to welcome two new Implementing members to the Framework. General Mills, the US food company with global sales and Brazzale Spa, a private dairy company operating in Italy, the Czech Republic, Brazil and China and exporting to 50 countries worldwide.

US Government’s 2015 Dietary Guidelines affirms role of dairy foods in healthy eating patterns

The final version of the 2015 federal Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) affirms the vital, unrivaled contribution made by dairy foods, and reminds Americans that they will continue to benefit from three daily servings of low-fat and fat-free dairy. Written by Dr Greg Miller, sector lead for Nutrition for the dairy sector, you can read more here