The Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy released last week a voluntary framework designed to help dairy producers and companies measure and communicate about their progress in environmental, social and economic sustainability. The draft “Stewardship and Sustainability Guide for U.S. Dairy” was developed under the leadership of the U.S. Dairy Sustainability Council as part of the industry’s ongoing effort to provide consumers with nutritious and responsibly produced dairy foods and beverages.

Clay Detlefsen, IDFA vice president of regulatory affairs, is a member of the Sustainability Council, a working group representing more than 95 organizations across the dairy supply chain, as well as academic, governmental and non-governmental organizations. The council identified the measurements that matter most at the farm and plant levels and developed a variety of key indicators that are based on scientific lifecycle assessment studies as well as practical experience.  

Still in draft form, the guide was released for a 60-day open stakeholder consultation period to provide council members with comments and feedback on practical implementation.

“We encourage members to review the guide and provide their feedback,” said Detlefsen. “We believe the guide is an important tool that will allow processors to convey their sustainable practices in a clear and concise manner without running into the pitfalls that can exist when doing so.”

The consultation period will end July 14, 2013. Members may view the guide at www.USDairy.com/SustainabilityGuide.com.

For more information, contact Detlefsen at cdetlefsen@idfa.org.