Assessing the overall impact of the dairy sector

Publication date: 31/03/2017
Extent: 24 pages

Contributions by: J. P. Hill, Fonterra Cooperative Group, New Zealand

Chapter synopsis: Dairy is the number one agricultural commodity by value, provides livelihoods for 1 billion people and is key to enriching diets the world over. Yet, global consumption of dairy falls short of national dietary guidelines. Increasing dairy consumption to match dietary guidelines could save billions of dollars in health budgets and help reduce the incidence of non-communicable diseases. Dairy is responsible for 2.7% of total anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, but farming practices can reduce this figure. Milk production uses 1 billion Ha of the Earth’s land, but headline statements about land use or GHG mask a level of detail crucial to understanding debates about diet and sustainability. This chapter examines the socio-economic impact of dairy on livelihoods and nutrition as well as its ecological impact, arguing that a balance must be struck between reducing dairy’s environmental impact and increasing milk consumption. The chapter explores global frameworks for sustainable production.

DOI: 10.19103/AS.2016.0005.43