MILK: Friend or Enemy?

12th February 2025 - Redefining the environmental footprint and quality concept in the dairy sector

A central topic of the conference was the new approach to calculating the environmental impact of agri-food production, known as nutritional Life Cycle Assessment (nLCA). LCA refers to assessing a product’s environmental footprint throughout its entire life cycle. The innovation lies in the "n" factor, which introduces the nutritional aspect into the calculation. This approach was first adopted by FAO in 2021 when it was realised that a food’s nutrient density plays a crucial role in determining its environmental impact. According to this new FAO perspective, milk is considered a low-impact food, contrary to previous beliefs. FAO research led to the significant conclusion that the long-standing perception of dairy products as environmentally harmful needs to be reconsidered. This position is further supported by recent research from IRCAF, which was established in 2020 with support from Fondazione Invernizzi and in collaboration with three universities: l’Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (hosting the centre at its S. Monica Campus in Cremona), Bocconi University, and the University of Milan. Their study demonstrates that the nLCA of Italian dairy farms is even more favorable than FAO’s global average and highlights the need to refine and redefine the concept of "quality" in the dairy sector.

The conference began with opening remarks from Prof. Giuseppe Bertoni, President of Fondazione Invernizzi, who shared the foundation’s origins and the history of the Invernizzi couple’s work to the Italian dairy sector. He introduced the discussion by emphasizing the importance of appreciating milk, acknowledging both its merits and challenges. Regarding its production impact, he stated, "without intensive production, there wouldn’t be enough food for everyone."

Stefano Gatti, General Director for Development Cooperation at MAECI and the Italian government’s special envoy for food security, joined remotely. He provided an international perspective on the discussion, emphasizing Italy’s leadership in global food policy at the request of the United Nations. He highlighted Italy’s significant role as a leading food producer and exporter, underlining the importance of a way back to scientific truth in response to misinformation about milk, livestock, and production. He praised FAO reports and research like IRCAF’s for safeguarding the Italian agricultural system, which not only operates domestically but also contributes to food security projects in developing countries, especially in Africa.

Prof. Lorenzo Morelli introduced IRCAF’s research, focusing on the role of the consumer, who is often overwhelmed by conflicting and misleading information. "This conference and IRCAF’s study stem from the need to address these issues," he stated. The research explored various questions from an interdisciplinary perspective, considering consumer perception, psychological aspects, and economic and animal health factors. This justified the involvement of three Milanese universities (Bocconi, Cattolica and Statale) to conduct a comprehensive analysis from different viewpoints.

Prof. Erminio Trevisi, Director of IRCAF and the DiANA department at the Università Cattolica, highlighted the conference’s central theme. He presented data on the environmental impact of the agri-food sector, emphasizing emission reductions and the importance of the nLCA method in assessing milk’s sustainability. IRCAF’s research demonstrated that Italian dairy farms have a lower environmental impact than FAO’s global average, reinforcing the need to rewrite the definition of quality in the dairy industry.

Following the introductory speeches, roundtable discussions provided valuable insights.

Claudio Bosio, a member of IRCAF’s executive committee and president of the UC EngageMinds Hub research centre, and Guendalina Graffigna, Professor of Consumer and Health Psychology and Director of EngageMinds HUB at the Università Cattolica, addressed the topic of how consumers perceive "milk quality," particularly in relation to social media discourse in Italy.

They noted that consumer perception is shaped by how information is processed and interpreted, often influenced by symbolic and emotional associations with milk. They emphasized the importance of engaging with consumers to counteract misinformation spread through social media.

Vitaliano Fiorillo, Director of Invernizzi AGRI Lab, tackled the question, "Is milk production sustainable?" He affirmed, "Yes, but under certain conditions." Fiorillo highlighted the competitiveness challenges faced by Italian dairy farms. High-end dairy producers typically enjoy better prices and profitability than those outside these premium markets. However, even a slight price decline can put all farms under financial strain, given their need for constant technological investments to remain competitive and sustainable. He stressed the necessity of managerial skills to develop strategies, maintain financial control and ensure operational flexibility—skills that are often lacking, even in larger enterprises.

Prof. Claudio Bandi from the University of Milan presented research on zoonotic diseases (infections transmitted from animals to humans), epidemiology, and the evolution of infectious agents. He examined different dairy farming systems (conventional, organic, extensive, and intensive) concerning pathogen circulation and antibiotic resistance, linking farm management to animal health outcomes.
Prof. Paolo Ajmone Marsan, Professor of Animal Genetics at the Faculty of Agriculture at the Università Cattolica of Piacenza and Director of the AGRISYSTEM Doctoral School and the Romeo and Enrica Invernizzi Research Centre for Sustainable Dairy Production (CREI), concluded the debate by reviewing traditional and emerging criteria for assessing milk quality. He confirmed that, based on genetic research, milk is a beneficial food for human health.

The event was attended by academics, journalists, industry organizations, associations, and foundations involved in the agri-food sector.

This initiative is part of the Invernizzi Foundation’s broader commitment to cultural and scientific outreach, facilitated through the establishment of the Congress Centre at Palazzo Invernizzi.