$124m paid out for M.bovis claims
The Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) has paid out almost $124 million in compensation for claims related to the cattle disease, Mycoplasma bovis.
International Dairy Federation Japan chapter president Kenichi Unno says since 1960's in traditionally milk-drinking countries in Europe, North America and Oceania, and since 1990's in Japan, fluid milk consumption has been declining. Unno says cheese and yogurt consumption is increasing so milk and dairy products as a whole are still increasingly consumed.
"But the increase of cheese and yoghurt is supported by new merits such as taste and effect on intestinal flora, and differs from the long advocated benefits commonly applicable to milk and most dairy products," he says.
He believes the reduction in liquid milk consumption can be put down to several reasons – one is amid abundant food supply, nutrition has ceased to attract people.
"More, where obesity is a big problem, many mistake good nutrition for high calorie.
"Further, there are some who, by ignorance or intentionally, speak ill of milk. And clever merchants take advantage by creating various artificial products competing milk and dairy products."
Unno urged dairy producers to "break this vicious circle, and turn the table around".
The World Dairy Summit, which ends today, attracted 2000 delegates from 60 countries.
