With geopolitical instabilities, climate change, commodity inflation and the scarcity of natural resources having a direct impact on the dairy industry, markets and their players, the 2024 Summit was a strategic moment, which led to the Paris Declaration on Sustainability.

The French Minister for Agriculture, Mrs Annie Genevard, and the European Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Janusz Wojciechowski, recalled the modernity of Geographical Indications (GIs) and their contribution to the sustainability of the dairy industry. Indeed, the dairy PDOs have already initiated this debate, and drawn up an ambitious plan to guarantee their sustainability. INAO bodies are also working in this direction.

A rich exchange of views on the outlook for the sector

All players in the chain (producers, processors, etc..) shared the successes but also the challenges facing a resilient, innovative and attractive dairy industry over these 4 days: economic and social crises, changing societal expectations of consumers and ecosystems... In this context, the industry is also faced with growing demand in certain sectors such as butter, cream and cheeses.

At this edition, particular attention was paid to the urgent need for generational renewal. The aging of the farming population and the industry's employees, as well as the difficulty of recruiting, are limiting factors in meeting the growing demand for milk and dairy products.

The industry is also facing growing demand in certain sectors, such as butter, cream and cheese.Special attention was paid to the urgent need for generational renewal.