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**Plans are progressing well for the 2009 International Dairy Federation (IDF) World Dairy Summit, being held in Berlin, Germany in September 2009.

**The new Summit website has gone online and the German National Committee of the IDF has announced a series of stimulating conferences covering a wide range of interests.

World markets for agricultural commodities and market globalisation changes rapidly, with dramatic repercussions on supply and demand in the dairy industry. Focus of the Summit will therefore be placed on the presentation and development of forward-looking solutions related to nutrition, sustainability and environment, animal health/welfare and food safety, as well as to technological innovation in milk supply and dairy processing, taking the whole of the dairy food chain into account.

A panel discussion between the world’s top dairy leaders will outline a vision and path for dairying in the 21st century.

The Summit offers the perfect setting for networking. Professionals and experts in their respective fields will come together to explore new ways of collaboration with the objective of increasing the value of milk and milk products and dairy ingredients, and to advance knowledge in order to meet today’s and tomorrow’s consumer needs.

The IDF World Dairy Summit 2009 will comprise a large exhibition for presenting and promoting dairy products, ingredients, equipment and latest technological solutions contributing to the sector’s development.

IDF Director General Christian Robert invites everyone with an interest in dairying to attend the Summit and be part of the debate about promising challenges and opportunities that this dynamic sector is facing. “The annual World Dairy Summit is the optimal platform of the international dairy community for the presentation of the latest knowledge and insights, for exchanging experiences and decision making. It's unique in terms of boosting the development of scientific technical cooperation worldwide, as well as in linking academic research with industrial developments and applications.”

IDF World Dairy Summit is being held in Berlin, Germany, 20-24 September 2009. For more information visit: www.wds2009.com.