WASHINGTON – Leaders from the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) and European Dairy Association (EDA) met at the IDFA offices on May 9 to discuss upended global food supply chains and other areas within the industry impacted by the war in Ukraine.

The two dairy processing organizations representing the US and Europe issued a joint statement condemning the war caused by Russia’s “brutal invasion.”

“We join the international community in calling for peace and the preservation of human rights for the people of a sovereign, independent Ukraine,” the statement read. “Russia’s attack on Ukraine and damage to critical lines of commerce has shocked our global food supply chain and heightened the specter of famine and hunger for the world’s most vulnerable citizens. This crisis requires ongoing humanitarian action and support by our respective governments and civil society organizations. IDFA and EDA are committed to keeping lines of communication open between our two organizations and we will continue to work together to provide nutritious dairy products to people around the globe who are facing rising prices, food shortages and hunger.”

The meeting between the IDFA and EDA also included conversations regarding raised prices for inputs, energy and finished food products, as well as exacerbated nutrition insecurity in countries around the world.

The IDFA is based in Washington, D.C., and led by president and chief executive officer Michael Dykes, DVM. EDA’s headquarters are in Brussels, Belgium, with president Giuseppe Ambrosi leading the organization.