Cniel in Action
Cniel’s expert teams work hard to achieve the activities and initiatives defined by its member organisations for the dairy branch.
Economy
Cniel is dedicated to improving the economic security and competitiveness of the dairy sector. Cniel’s team of economics experts provides economic references and indicators to facilitate informed decision-making among dairy sector stakeholders, understand market changes and anticipate potential crises. Cniel informs public authorities and consumers about sector issues and seeks support during crises.
Cniel’s economists continuously monitor the dairy markets and agricultural policies, sharing economic data through reports, videos and webinars, including regular annual and monthly economic reports that track milk collection, prices, and consumption.
France has implemented legislation to enhance the economic security of dairy sector actors, such as mandatory inclusion of farm production costs in price negotiations. To ensure fair remuneration, Cniel provides dairy stakeholders with a monthly dashboard of economic indicators, including market prices and production costs. This dashboard, supported by the French Livestock Institute, aids in transparent and fair commercial negotiations, allowing operators to make informed decisions in line with the France Terre de Lait social responsibility commitments. These dashboards are available on cniel-infos.
Cniel also monitors changes in dairy farming, such as farm size and livestock numbers, comparing these observations with international data to support agricultural changes and address future challenges. It coordinates studies on farming practices and their economic impacts, disseminating results to guide investments and work organisation. Organic and mountain-specific reports are also provided to keep stakeholders informed.
Exports are a significant part of the French dairy sector's economy, 4 out of 10 liters are exported. Cniel promotes sustainable export strategies focused on high value-added products like cheese, cream, and butter, which are internationally recognised for their quality and French expertise.
Environment
For over thirty years, the French dairy sector has worked to mitigate its environmental impact on soil, air, water, and biodiversity. Under the France Terre de Lait responsibility approach, Cniel aims to assist stakeholders to reduce the carbon footprint of dairy products by 17% between 2016 and 2025 through collective action plans involving farmers and processors.
Cniel's environmental strategy is based on dialogue and collective action, adhering to ISO 26000 principles of transparency, stakeholder engagement, and continuous sustainable development. Communication with sector actors, institutions, consumers, and NGOs is integral to this strategy.
Cniel experts are actively addressing climate change by supporting professionals in adapting practices to reduce environmental impact and align with regulatory changes. Cniel coordinates technical projects to establish benchmarks and identify solutions for minimising the sector's environmental footprint - while enhancing its positive contributions. The sector focuses on maintaining biodiversity benefits and preserving natural resources.
The Low Carbon Dairy Farm initiative, launched in 2015, helps French dairy farmers reduce greenhouse gas emissions through individualised diagnostics. These diagnostics assess the farm's carbon footprint, energy consumption, and contributions to biodiversity and carbon storage. Farmers can choose appropriate actions, such as planting hedges or installing solar panels, to improve their carbon footprint while maintaining economic performance. Over 22 156 farms have been diagnosed, with a goal of 48,000 by 2030.
Cniel leverages territorial competencies and participates in national and international events to disseminate knowledge on climate change mitigation and adaptation. Cniel’s efforts include continuous monitoring and promoting project results into practical applications.
Dairy Farming & Livestock
One Health, One Welfare: animal care, a daily concern for farmers
The dairy sector is committed ensuring animal welfare and environmental sustainability. Farmers care deeply about the health and comfort of their herds, which is crucial for high-quality milk production. Cniel supports farmers by providing tools and technical data to enhance farm competitiveness and sustainability.
A tool for assessing animal welfare
In order to objectify the measurement of animal welfare on each farm, the Cniel has chosen to develop the Charter of Good Farming Practices. Created in 1999 by the National Bovine Federation (FNB) and the National Federation of Milk Producers (FNPL), it currently represents 97% of French dairy farmers. It defines objectives to be achieved and areas for improvement in areas as diverse as animal traceability, health and nutrition, as well as dairy production hygiene, social sustainability, environmental protection, and animal welfare.
Cniel aids in improving practices through the BoviWell approach, which evaluates animal welfare based on the Welfare Quality® method and the principles of the World Organisation for Animal Health. The Charter of Good Farming Practices, updated with the BoviWell tool, helps farmers meet animal welfare standards and other sustainability goals.
Cniel also focuses on health issues, such as preventing mastitis and lameness, reducing injuries, and promoting responsible antibiotic use. To prevent antibiotic residues in milk, Cniel offers marking kits for identifying animals undergoing treatment.
Adapting to climate change is essential, and Cniel supports farmers in adjusting their production conditions. This includes managing herd renewal, improving animal feed sustainability, and rethinking farm buildings to protect cows from extreme temperatures. Cniel's comprehensive approach involves creating technical documents and recommendations to guide farmers and advisors.
Quality, Health & Nutrition
The quality of French milk and dairy products is paramount, produced and processed in line with strict European hygiene and food safety standards. In France, the price of milk at farm-exit is based on its nutrient composition and hygienic quality, ensuring high standards are maintained throughout the sector.
Milk is a complex raw material, and its transformation into various dairy products involves physical or microbiological technologies. Cniel teams, working alongside recognised global experts, lead collaborative projects to advance knowledge on milk composition and processing, providing monthly updates to dairy professionals. This forward-looking approach allows for the acquisition and dissemination of cutting-edge information useful to dairy stakeholders.
Quantitative microbiological risk assessment is an ongoing measure that the Cniel undertakes and promotes. The dairy industry also faces risks of chemical origin, and the Cniel conducts in-depth monitoring, develops control methods and provides practical guides to industry professionals. Animal diseases are also a risk for the dairy sector. Cniel plays a key role in disseminating knowledge and best practices to both farmers and manufacturers, informing dairy stakeholders of the key measures to take in the event of a suspected or confirmed disease, in order to maintain the highest level of safety for milk and dairy products. Cniel is equipped to mobilise a crisis unit at any time for any of these risks and to provide expertise to the various stakeholders involved, with one absolute priority: consumer health.
Research also focuses on how different dairy products fit into a balanced diet at each stage of life and their role in human health. The benefits stem from the unique synergy of nutrients in the dairy matrix. A burgeoning field of research focuses on the influence of fermented dairy products on the balance of the intestinal microbiota, a key issue for better understanding the interactions between diet and health.
The research undertaken at Cniel also explores the benefits of dairy fat, particularly for the cognitive development of infants and young children, as well as for the prevention of metabolic disorders in adults.
Cniel is actively involved in disseminating knowledge about the nutritional benefits of milk and its derivatives to different audiences – from dairy industry professionals to public health authorities and intergovernmental bodies, including the scientific community, health professionals, social sector stakeholders, and journalists.
Cniel produces practical tools, such as brochures, raising awareness about a balanced diet and the role of dairy products. Furthermore, Cniel collaborates with influential and well-known healthcare professionals on social media to reach a wider audience while maintaining an expert and credible stance.
Understanding & Informing Consumers
A relationship built on trust
The dairy sector is dedicated to understanding and informing consumers to maintain a relationship based on trust.
To remain proactive in a changing global context, the dairy sector needs tools, including prospective studies and monitoring trends. Cniel has established an observatory that provides multiple resources on food, cultures, and eating behaviours under the aegis of a scientific committee. Prospective studies and monitoring to understand market evolutions and anticipate future trends that will shape the dairy market help the sector remain competitive and responsive to consumer demands.
Cniel also plays a crucial role in communication and promotion, using study insights to craft relevant messages that address current consumer concerns and expectations around nutrition, environment, animal welfare, and product traceability.
Cniel strives to improve the sector's image, strengthen consumer confidence, and highlight the sector’s initiatives to adapt to future challenges while ensuring the sustainability and competitiveness. Promoting responsible consumption is another focus, with commitments to transparency about milk's origin and production methods.
The nutrition team of Cniel disseminates clear information through targeted communication programmes to reassure consumers and inform health and social sector professionals about the nutritional benefits of dairy products. Studies show that milk and dairy products are nutritionally dense, affordable, and have a moderate environmental impact, reconciling the four dimensions of the FAO definition of sustainability. The goal of highlighting dairy products as part of a balanced diet and sustainable food system aligns with the France Terre de Lait initiative for social responsibility.
Additionally, Cniel protects official identification and quality labels for organic and geographically indicated dairy products, promoting their specificities and production methods. Creative communication campaigns, including TV ads and collaborations with influencers, aim to energise the image of dairy products, emphasising the pleasure and quality of consumption.
Cniel prioritises building relationships with Gen Z (ages 15-35) by addressing their strong societal expectations and food consumption habits. Since 2018, through capitalising on the signature slogan of "Les Produits Laitiers" (The Dairy Products), Cniel has adopted a social media strategy with an offbeat and authentic tone, partnering with influencers and content creators who promote dairy benefits as well as biodiversity and animal welfare, generating significant engagement. To further connect with Gen Z, Cniel launched a "Live my Life" format with a popular influencer and introduced the Mukai dairy-based manga, tapping into France's strong manga readership.
International Communication
Cniel: Promoting Made-in-France dairy around the world
French dairy products are sought after around the world for their savour and quality. Indeed, exports of French dairy have been growing steadily – from €4.1 in 2000 to €9.3 billion euros in 2024. Today, four of every ten litres of French milk are destined for export.
Cniel plays a pivotal role in promoting and defending the interests of France’s dairy sector internationally by enhancing the global reputation of French dairy products and supporting stakeholders in international markets.
France is home to four of the top ten global dairy companies and is Europe’s second-largest producer of milk. The French dairy sector produces more than it consumes, making exports a natural and strategic focus. French dairy products are renowned worldwide for their savour and quality, and exports are tailored to meet local preferences and traditions.
Cniel is actively engaged in promoting French cheeses, butters, creams and yoghurts to food enthusiasts around the world through communication campaigns targeting both consumers and key players in hospitality and retail, concept stores, trade shows, point-of-sale promotions, press trips, training for foreign chefs and artisans, and influencer relations. These initiatives aim to elevate the visibility of French dairy and reinforce its image as a symbol of quality and tradition worldwide.
In Shanghai, China, the Crèmerie is the official flagship for French dairy. This Cniel concept shop offers events, trainings and exhibits, attracting chefs, artists, bloggers and foodies to explore French dairy products. La Crèmerie offers a space for professionals and influencers to experiment cooking and pastry lessons, cheese pairings sessions, and improve their knowledge. La Crèmerie of course has a boutique offering a selection of French dairy products.
An active role in international dairy institution
