European Dairy Association (EDA) President Koert Verkerk has called for Europe’s ambitions to be backed by a matching budget, while EDA Secretary General Alexander Anton met leaders of Ukraine’s dairy sector at SIAL in Paris, according to EDA Dairy Flash No. 15/2026.
Key points:
- the EDA President called for a strong Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) combined with investment in research, innovation and modern production capacity;
- at SIAL Paris, EDA met leaders of Ukraine’s dairy sector: «EDA stands with Ukraine!»;
- EDA contributed to the EU Agricultural Outlook 2026, to be presented on 8–9 December;
- the association calls for effective carbon leakage protection in the revision of the EU Emissions Trading System.
Koert Verkerk: a strong CAP and support for research, innovation and investment
«If Europe sees a resilient dairy sector as part of its security, it must also safeguard the sector’s economic strength. That comes down to three things: the confidence to invest, innovation that delivers, and open and fair markets».
«Farmers can invest in their farms and communities only when their milk creates value — at home and abroad. Dairy companies can create that value only when they continue to innovate and compete».
«That’s why a strong Common Agricultural Policy must go hand in hand with targeted investment in research, industrial innovation and modern production capacity. Member States cannot ask Europe to do more for its security and competitiveness without giving it the means to deliver. Europe’s ambitions must be backed by a budget that matches them», EDA President Koert Verkerk underlined in light of the ongoing CAP and Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) discussions.
Ordre du Mérite Agricole for François-Xavier Huard
In the Salle Sully of the French Ministry of Agriculture, France’s Minister of Agriculture, Agri-Food and Food Sovereignty Annie Genevard awarded the Ordre du Mérite Agricole to François-Xavier Huard, President and CEO of the French National Federation of Dairy Industries (Fédération Nationale des Industries Laitières, FNIL).
«I always loved being in a cheese making site in the early morning when the perfume of cheese milk is in the air. Milk processing is producing the future», the minister said in her tribute to Huard and his career in the French public service in France and abroad, which brought him to the leadership of the French dairy sector five years ago.
«François-Xavier knows how to transform ideas into action — and that’s what we need in the dairy chain today», Minister Genevard concluded, expressing the gratitude of the French Republic for his professional commitment and social engagement.
EDA meets Ukraine’s dairy sector at SIAL Paris
Following Andriy Tabalov’s impressive presentation at the EDA Annual Convention in Bratislava, which included a short video on the current situation of Ukrainian dairy, EDA had the honour of meeting leaders of Ukraine’s dairy sector at SIAL in Paris.
Participants included Iryna Vysotska, Swiss-Ukrainian dairy coordinator; Oleksandr Avramuk, chair of the Ukrainian Dairy EU Integration Committee; Andriy Tabalov, CEO of Voloshkove Pole Dairy; Maks Fasteyev (Infagro); and Olena Stretovych, CEO of Organic Milk, Ukraine’s leading organic dairy products company.
«EDA stands with Ukraine!» the association stressed.
Cheese Importers Association of America meets EDA
SIAL Paris was also the perfect venue for an in-depth exchange with Cheese Importers Association of America (CIAA) President Laura Lyden McGregor and CIAA colleagues on US cheese markets and the EU dairy sector.
A record attendance — 15 European dairy experts and executives and the full CIAA board of 12 members — underlined the importance of keeping in touch with US colleagues in these times.
The participation of Gianni Maoddi, President of the Pecorino Romano Consortium, and its executive director Riccardo Pastore allowed an insightful exchange not only on Pecorino Romano («Spettacolo della Natura», as any true connoisseur will agree) and other sheep milk cheeses, but also on goat milk cheese.
EDA meets the Yara International Board
Alexander Anton was invited to give an overview of the EU dairy sector to Yara CEO Svein Tore Holsether and his Board members.
Yara, one of the world’s leading producers of mineral fertilisers, is a key partner for Europe’s dairy farmers. Its portfolio ranges from grassland and forage solutions to feed products that help lower feed costs, and the company is also working on lower-emission fertiliser production. Board members include Jais Valeur, a familiar face in the European dairy sector.
The discussion focused on the sustainable transition of the dairy value chain in light of upcoming EU legislation. Many of the key levers lie beyond the factory gate — at farm level and in feed and fertiliser production.
Asked about her favourite dairy product, Tiffanie Stephani, Vice-President, Public Affairs EU at Yara International, said:
«My favourite cheese is Brillat-Savarin: creamy, full of character, and named after the man who made the pleasure of good food a subject worthy of serious thought».
European Chamber of Commerce in China at EDA
EDA Director of Trade and Economics Laurens van Delft and EDA Trade Working Group Chair Lise Andreasen Høyer (Danish Dairy Board, DDB) hosted Ran Qin, Senior Government Affairs Desk Manager at the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, for an exchange on current developments in EU-China dairy trade.
The discussion covered the Chinese dairy market, recent trade developments and the conditions facing European dairy exporters, as well as changing import demand, market sentiment and the broader operating environment for European companies in China.
EDA contributes to the Commission’s 2026 Agricultural Outlook
On 14 October, Alexander Anton was invited to the European Commission’s Autumn Validation Group meeting on milk and dairy commodity markets, organised by the Analysis and Outlook Unit of the Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development (DG AGRI) as part of the 2026 Agricultural Outlook process.
The meeting followed up on the Spring Outlook workshop held in Brussels in May. In this new format, Commission analysts presented the preliminary baseline for the dairy sector, examining how EU milk production will develop as farms restructure and environmental requirements tighten.
The discussion then turned to the implications for cheese, butter and other major dairy products, as well as changes in European consumers’ purchasing and eating habits. Global trade was also a major topic: growing demand in third countries and new trade agreements offer real opportunities for EU dairy, but geopolitical tensions add uncertainty. The meeting closed with a look at price developments and the volatility the sector could face in the coming years.
The final baseline will be part of the EU Agricultural Outlook 2026, to be presented at the EU Agri-Food Days on 8–9 December in Brussels.
ETS revision: EDA calls for effective carbon leakage protection
Following the European Commission’s proposal to revise the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) post-2030, legislative work is now progressing in the European Parliament.
EDA took part in a recent stakeholder dialogue with MEP Peter Liese (European People’s Party, Germany), rapporteur for the file in the Committee on the Environment (ENVI), and reiterated its position: it welcomes the continuation of free allocation beyond 2030 but is concerned about the proposed new conditionality.
EDA considers that linking free allocation to additional investment requirements could weaken its role as an effective carbon leakage protection mechanism, especially for sectors such as dairy that are increasingly exposed to international competition.
EDA CAP Working Group fine-tunes position on CMO revision
Safeguarding the market orientation of the dairy sector, keeping dairy products at the heart of the EU School Scheme and preserving effective market support instruments were the priorities discussed on 28 October, when EDA convened its CAP Working Group for an ad hoc online meeting.
Members discussed the European Parliament’s proposed amendments to the post-2027 Common Market Organisation (CMO) Regulation, as well as proposals on cheese marketing standards, private storage aid and crisis preparedness, with particular attention to their practical implications for dairy processors and cooperatives.
The discussions helped refine EDA’s priorities and prepare coordinated advocacy ahead of the upcoming vote in the European Parliament’s Committee on Agriculture (AGRI).
EDA at COP31: enabling climate action in livestock
On 17 November, EDA will co-organise an official United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) side event at the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye, together with Dairy Farmers of Canada, the International Meat Secretariat and the International Dairy Federation.
The event «Enabling climate action in livestock through innovation, collaboration and incentives» will bring together perspectives from academia, farmers, industry, policy and research to explore practical solutions for climate mitigation and adaptation in livestock systems, while preserving food security and ensuring a just transition.
EDA at the Nestlé Agri-Food Ladies Network Lunch
An EDA delegation attended the annual Nestlé Agri-Food Ladies Network Lunch, which brings together female professionals from the sector. Hosted by the Mission of Switzerland to the EU, the event took place on 29 October, with opening remarks by Noémi Csete (Head of Sustainability for Coffee at Nestlé Europe) and Laura Schweizer (Head of the Department for Political Affairs, Security, Law and Home Affairs at the Mission of Switzerland to the EU).
Following Isabelle Pitter of Women in Dairy’s contribution at the EDA Annual Convention in Bratislava, the event was a great opportunity for women in agri-food to discuss the challenges facing the sector.
Save the date: EWPA at Fi Europe 2026
On 19 November in Frankfurt, at Food ingredients Europe 2026, the European Whey Processors Association (EWPA) will hold the session «Why Whey, Why Now?», featuring EWPA President Benno van Mersbergen, CIO of Royal FrieslandCampina; Mette Toft, Senior Regulatory Specialist at Arla Foods Ingredients; and Mark Voorbergen, Dairy Markets and Strategy Consultant at Dairy Intel.
Source: EDA Dairy Flash
