The International Dairy Federation News Release
For further information please contact:
Monique Lebeau, IDF Administrative Director
Marylène Tucci, IDF Communications and Public Affairs Assistant at IDF on + 32 2 706 86 44
SEVEN AFRICAN COUNTRIES JOIN IDF
Vancouver, September 20, 2005 - The International Dairy Federation (IDF) announced today, at the World Dairy Summit in Vancouver, that a bloc of seven African nations is joining the IDF. Kenya, Malawi, Mauritius, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia are joining the IDF through a collaborative agreement between the IDF and the Eastern and Southern African Dairy Association (ESADA). This will give these countries access to IDF’s extensive resources and dairy expertise.
“This is tremendous news both for the IDF and for the seven African countries that now join our ranks” said Jim Begg, President of IDF. “It is essential for the future of the world dairy industry that developing countries become part of the network of countries attempting to promote the benefits of dairy products. As an industry, we face enormous challenges on a global scale and the fact that these countries want to be involved is an important step in the right direction.”
Mr. John Anglin, Chairman of ESADA, said: “The IDF is respected throughout the world and offers unrivalled scientific, technical and economic information for dairy industries. Membership for our countries will deliver real benefits in that we will have access to resources and expertise that we would not otherwise be able to enjoy. This is a good day for the African dairy industry.”
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Notes:
The International Dairy Federation was founded in 1903. It is a source of scientific and technical expertise. It is both a forum for discussion and exchange and a dairy information centre, created by and for the dairy sector.
To find out more please visit: www.fil-idf.org
The Eastern and Southern African Dairy Association was formed last year and is a regional eastern and southern African association with the overall mission of increasing trade in African dairy products, comprising members from Kenya, Malawi, Mauritius, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. Web site: To find out more please visit: www.dairyafrica.com
The 2005 World Dairy Summit is being held in Vancouver from September 17 -25 and is the first to be hosted by two major dairy countries, Canada and the United States. The theme - "PARTNERING - The Future of the World Dairy Industry" – aims to promote continued partnering opportunities within the dairy industry. To find out more please visit: www.idf2005.com