Milk in Sweden

A cutting-edge
knowledge company
THE SWEDISH DAIRY ASSOCIATION is the industry
organisation that monitors, analyzes and lobbies on behalf
of Swedish dairy and livestock cooperatives to serve the
best interests of Swedish milk. The entire gamut of knowledge,
from genetics and cattle-raising to milk quality and
health, is combined in this one organisation. From cow to
consumer. The members of the Swedish Dairy Association
are the seven largest dairy cooperatives in Sweden, eight
livestock cooperatives, two semen-producing companies
and nine breed societies.
As the dairy sector’s interaction with the rest of the
world grows, new demands are placed on the industry
organisation. The Swedish Dairy Association is a cuttingedge
knowledge-based enterprise with well-established
networks of researchers, experts, decision-makers and
opinion-makers, both in Sweden and abroad. Its activities
take place in consultation with a number of stakeholders,
such as Sweden’s representation in Brussels, the European
Commission, the European Parliament, the European
Dairy Association (eda), the International Dairy Federation
(idf), the Swedish Food Federation (Li), the Swedish
National Food Administration, the Swedish Agri cultural
Board and the Swedish Board of Agriculture and the
Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Commu nica tions and
many, many others.
Nordic dairy-related cooperation is steadily increasing.
The aim is not only to avoid duplication and obtain more
knowledge for the money invested, but also to put the
Nordic region on the eu map – to become a stronger player
in other words.
Defi ning the issues in the process as early as possible is
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essential to our ability to keep up in an industry in constant
change. Changing consumer patterns are tackled
through communications aimed at specifi c target groups
and seminars on the benefi ts of milk for people of all ages.
The latest research fi ndings concerning diet and nutrition
are presented regularly to professional groups that have
an impact on eating and drinking habits.
To support the skilled dairy entrepreneurs of the future,
the Swedish Dairy Association is reviewing the need for
modern it solutions and the need for the industry as a
whole to take responsibility for ensuring that its systems
are cost-e� ective. On behalf of the livestock associations,
the Swedish Dairy Association develops advisory concepts
and training programs to promote and support dairy-related
entrepreneurship. Larger herds at dairy farms are leading
to new projects concerning preventive animal healthcare
and related areas.
FOR THE DAIRY COOPERATIVES, the Swedish Dairy
Asso ciation is a key player in competition-neutral issues.
There is a consensus that an industry organisation can be
much more e� ective in infl uencing politicians than individual
companies alone. The organisation has experts who
can monitor, analyze and obstruct unfavourable proposals.
They can also promote issues relating to sustainable and
profi table Swedish dairy production.
The combined e� orts of the organisation are aimed at
making consumers aware of the added value of Swedish
milk. There should ultimately be no doubt that Sweden is
a natural and fi rst-rate dairy country – perhaps the best in
the world.