New President for International Dairy Federation

Piercristiano Brazzale (pictured), has today (2 November) been elected president of the International Dairy Federation (IDF). Mr Brazzale takes over from Dr Judith Bryans, chief executive of Dairy UK, who was elected at the 2016 World Dairy Summit in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

In his new role, Mr Brazzale will steer the work of IDF with the support of the IDF Board, the Science Programme Coordination Committee (SPCC), of which he is the former chair, along with the IDF Head Office and IDF National Committees. He has been involved with IDF at all levels since 2012 and is a well-known figure in the IDF community.

Speaking after his election at the virtual IDF Annual General Meeting on 2 November, Mr Brazzale said, “I am thankful and honoured for the trust the IDF community has put in me to lead the organisation for the next four years. Judith has done a fantastic job over the last four years and we owe her our thanks for her hard work and remarkable leadership, guiding the Federation through numerous changes and challenges with unfailing vision and passion.”

The IDF is the leading source of scientific and technical expertise for all stakeholders of the dairy chain. Since 1903, IDF has provided a mechanism for the dairy sector to reach global consensus on how to help feed the world with safe and sustainable dairy products. A recognised international authority in the development of science-based standards for the dairy sector, and a strategic partner for international organisations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Codex Alimentarius, IDF has an important role to play in ensuring the right policies, standards, practices, and regulations are in place to ensure the world’s dairy products are safe and sustainable.

Mr Brazzale added,”I will be focusing on several key areas during my term; promoting and highlighting the value of the work undertaken by IDF, ensuring dairy continues to be recognised as making a significant role in sustainable food systems, and ensuring IDF and our sector is prepared for the future and speaking out on the big issues of our time. The challenges facing the world regarding sustainable nutrition are immense, and I am confident that with the contribution of our strong and growing base of global dairy experts, we can and will embrace them.”

Alongside his presidency of IDF, Mr Brazzale will continue to be involved with Brazzale S.p.A., Italy’s oldest dairy company, in uninterrupted activity for at least eight generations, producing cheese and butter since 1784.

Speaking on the appointment, outgoing IDF president Dr Judith Bryans, the first female president of the Federation, said, “I am thankful for the time I have spent as president and the value we have been able to create for the dairy sector and its stakeholders. The work of IDF is essential in creating a positive future for the dairy sector. Its unique structure and global network of experts allows us to pool our resources and expertise together to ensure the role of dairy is recognised properly at every level.  Moving forward, IDF will be in good hands with a committed Board under the new IDF president, Piercristiano Brazzale.”