Why did you want to be IDF president, and what do you believe you can bring to the IDF?
Richard Doyle: I believe very strongly in the uniqueness of IDF in bringing all stakeholders to work cooperatively towards the betterment of our knowledge on all aspects of our industry, by sharing our expertise, opinions and work through an amazing worldwide networking of volunteer experts and leaders. It’s this sharing and the overall desire to achieve a common understanding on standards, practices, analysis, science, marketing techniques and so on that makes IDF so valuable for all its members.
My involvement over the past three decades in both IDF and the Canadian National Committee has always been a source of gratification, and I find few issues I deal with on a daily basis as the CEO of a national dairy farmers’ organisation that can not benefit from outside expertise involved in IDF or IDF-Canada. My sole motivation in offering my services and expertise is my belief that I can contribute towards the maintenance of the high-quality work done by the organisation, the improvement of its effectiveness and the advancement of its reputation and contribution to our global dairy industry.
What are the big challenges facing the IDF in the coming months and years?
Doyle: The relevance of the work of IDF needs to be widely recognised in order to continue to be looked to as the scientific authority in matters related to dairy production, processing, marketing, nutrition and standards setting. Furthermore, IDF needs to clarify the way it will interact with other organisations, such as the Global Dairy Platform and the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative Platform, to further the objectives of the global dairy industry that is to maintain its market share and to keep ahead of competition from other food sources.
IDF has a lot to offer in this area. IDF needs to reflect the needs of modern dairy businesses and ensure a greater involvement by our expanding membership. The dairy industry worldwide is adopting a joint approach that’s embodied in the activities of IDF for innovation, integration and change.
The world and our industry are trying to cope with the challenges of a financial crisis and a food crisis. At the same time, the demand by consumers for innovative food products continues to increase, along with demand for high-quality and safe dairy products, produced under practices that are taking good care of our animals, and that are environmentally friendly. IDF will continue to play a leadership role in offering knowledge expertise and solutions.
What will be your priorities for the Federation?
Doyle: I placed a great deal of emphasis in my vision on the role of the IDF president over the next four years on the governance of the organisation. In recent years, we have reviewed extensively the structure of our international organisation and the role of the general assembly, the board of directors, the director general and the Science and Programme Co-ordination Committee.
We’ve clarified the organisation’s mission and developed a strategic plan with clear objectives and deliverables. We’ve prioritised the work of the organisation and continue to address the adequacy and effectiveness of the human and financial resources assigned to the work of IDF. I remain committed to this approach, the priorities we have adopted and the implementation of the strategic plan. There are still a few issues to be addressed, however.
Notwithstanding the role of leadership that the president must play, and what he envisions for the organisation over his term as president, I feel that the IDF membership must also work towards a common vision for the organisation. We have a mission and a set of actionable objectives, but we haven’t set our common view of where we see the organisation in five to 10 years down the road. This isn’t a futile exercise in my view, and it always helps focusing the membership and staff towards a longer-term common goal.
Does the current global economic situation and the pressures it will bring to the dairy industry alter the role of IDF? Will it make IDF more or less important?
Doyle: Market is key for the global dairy sector, and the market should be leading us in our activities in IDF. It’s at the heart of IDF’s mandate to support the development of quality milk and dairy product markets. IDF is a valuable source of scientific evidence and expertise that are not only used in promoting the benefits of all dairy products, but also counteracting the attacks or misconceptions brought on by competitive interests such as vegetable products, animal welfare lobby, food safety and environment.
IDF offers solutions to the challenges of the industry. IDF members have increased their demand on IDF and our challenge will be to insure adequate financing for delivering on these demands. If the financial crisis puts pressures on our members, it remains my hope that IDF contribution – which is very small in an overall industry context – will not be affected, and will be seen as an essential element as our plan to thrive beyond this crisis.
As I said earlier, I believe very strongly in the uniqueness of IDF in bringing all stakeholders to work cooperatively towards the betterment of our knowledge on all aspects of our industry by sharing our expertise, opinions and work through an amazing worldwide networking of volunteer experts and leaders. These functions fulfilled by IDF will remain the same and are likely to become more important, because they’ll be needed to go through the difficulties that are facing all economies around the world. Consumers continue to require a highly nutritious source of safe food at a reasonable price. The dairy industry will continue to fulfil this need.
How would you sum up the health of the global dairy industry as you start your four-year term as president?
Doyle: The dairy industry continues to be well positioned to supply consumers with nutritious food with an exceptional source of protein and nutrients. The global sector is continuously innovating, and food safety is top of mind and will remain an issue for the food industry.
The year 2007 brought unusual increases in the price of dairy products. By mid-2008, the market has returned to price and that’s causing major difficulties along the dairy chain. It appears 2009 will continue to bring price volatility. IDF is conscious of the situation and will continue to supply its membership with the best possible advice on the best information based on the latest available science, to help position the dairy industry to seize market opportunities and grow the dairy market globally.
As discussed at the time of the IDF Dairy Summit in Mexico City in November 2008, “the conclusion regarding the world dairy situation is that global milk production will continue to increase beyond 2008 with a higher share of the milk being processed. Butter production and consumption is staggering. Demand has started to weaken but could recover as prices are coming down. Most regions are now facing weak economic conditions. There will likely be more pricing volatility in the future.”
As we face global economic difficulties, I hope that the effect on the dairy sector will be small. By working together under the IDF umbrella, the global dairy industry can mitigate the difficulties.
The world dairy industry is a durable industry that will continue to prosper in 2009. IDF will continue to adapt to best meet the needs of its membership. Together, we will ensure that our industry continues to prosper. Together, we will face the challenge, and IDF will continue to supply tools to contribute to the development of the global dairy sector. The hardship that we all face is temporary.
Richard Doyle is executive director of Dairy Farmers of Canada, and is the new president of the International Dairy Federation.
Geoff Platt is editor of Dairy Innovation magazine. Subscribe here.
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