Canadian dairy farmers work with food industry on continued sustainability

Yesterday, more than 200 members of the Canadian dairy sector, as well as food industry stakeholders, gathered to discuss sustainability at Dairy Farmers of Canada’s (DFC) sustainability symposium, “Building a Sustainable Dairy Industry”. The Symposium was an opportunity for dairy farmers to showcase their commitment to the health and well-being of Canadians, to the environment, and to their animals. It also provided those in the food industry with the opportunity to network and discuss values and good practices and their importance to the overall food chain.

“Canadian dairy farmers are deeply committed to sustainability, which is one of the reasons why our industry has been around for centuries here in Canada,” said Pierre Lampron, President of DFC. “We are continuously looking for ways to improve our on-farm practices, and are proud to tell our sustainability story. The Symposium was a great event to bring together dairy farmers and stakeholders from the food industry, to discuss various aspects of the sustainable way we produce Canadian milk, and what is needed to maintain confidence in the food supply.”

The full-day program included presentations from Canadian dairy farmers, a retailer, a processor, and other stakeholders, as well as a round-table discussion on sustainable growth of the industry in the future. Minister Lawrence MacAuley also took time to deliver brief remarks to the audience. The Symposium included two farms tours for attendees on Tuesday, one held at La Ferme Gillette, a fifth generation dairy farm, and Wilkridge Farm, which features some of the most advanced technology for milking available on the market. A wine and cheese reception was also held, and was attended by several stakeholders, as well as politicians from all parties.