We unite all of the actors of the dairy sector
Originating from a voluntary commitment of its members to work together, Cniel brings together four interprofessional branches, each representing a key link in the French dairy sector, to define and implement a common overall strategy. Cniel relies on six operational hubs, as well as a regional network (known as the Criel) and interprofessional laboratories, to carry out its initiatives.
Cniel consists of four affiliated branches, each representing a profession within the dairy sector:
- Cow’s milk producers
- Dairy cooperatives
- Private dairy companies
- Dairy product distribution, catering, and trade stakeholders
Their members decide together, based on a shared analysis, the collective challenges they wish to address for the benefit of the dairy sector and consumers.
The presidents of the four affiliated branches also serve as Vice-Presidents of the Cniel and are responsible for electing the Cniel President for a three-year term. The Cniel governance is supported in its missions by the general management of Cniel.
Pascal Le Brun currently presides over the Board of Directors of Cniel, alongside Marie-Andrée Luherne, Deputy President. They work with Caroline Helleisen Errant, Cniel General Director since 2015, and rely on the expertise of the entire Cniel team.
Luc Verhaeghe, Marc Delage, Marie-Andrée Luherne, Yohann Barbe, Pascal Le Brun, François-Xavier Huard
The 4 branches of Cniel
Producers
The branch of producers represents the French dairy cow farmers. It encourages responsible organisation that closely addresses the concerns of farmers and actively seeks to support producers in a constantly evolving dairy sector.
Vice-president of Cniel : Yohann Barbe
Members : Fédération Nationale des Producteurs de Lait (the National Federation of Milk Producers or FNPL, one of the three founding members of Cniel), Confédération Paysanne (CP), Coordination Rurale (CR)
Visit the National Federation of Milk Producers website (in French)
Visit the Confédération Paysanne website (in French)
Visit the Coordination Rurale website (in French)
Private Dairy Industries
The Fédération nationale des industries laitières (National Federation of Dairy Industries or FNIL) brings together private companies involved in the processing and manufacturing of dairy products. It promotes the interests of its members and the industry within the dairy sector.
Vice-president of Cniel : François-Xavier HUARD
Member : National Federation of Dairy Industries (FNIL)
Dairy Cooperatives
The Dairy Cooperation brings together cooperatives that collect and promote the milk produced by their associated members. Its goal is to help cooperatives grow by improving their efficiency and profitability.
Vice-president of Cniel : Luc Verhaeghe
Member : Dairy Cooperation
Visit the Dairy Cooperation website
Commerce, Distribution, and Catering
The interbranch of commerce, distribution and catering consists of various actors involved in the sales and distribution of dairy products, as well as catering. This includes cheesemongers, distributors, restaurateurs, and wholesalers. This affiliate joined the other three founding branches of Cniel in 2019.
Vice-president of Cniel : Marc DELAGE
Members : Federation of Agricultural Trade (FCA), Federation of Trade and Distribution (FCD), French Franchise Federation (FFF), Restau’Co, National Union of Collective Catering (SNRC), Agores
A co-responsible governance model
Two decision-making bodies, composed of professionals designated by the four interbranch members, lead the Cniel. Decisions are made unanimously by the four branches of Cniel. The presidency of Cniel rotates on a priority basis: every three years, it is held by a professional representative from one of the interbranch bodies.
Decision-making bodies
The Cniel is led by two decision-making bodies: a General Assembly and a Board of Directors. The presidency of Cniel rotates and is entrusted to a professional representative from one of the interbranch affiliate members.
The General Assembly
It determines the general policy and priorities of the association as well as the national interprofessional agreements. Each branch is represented by a number of delegates, individuals designated by the respective affiliate, ranging in number from twelve to twenty. The General Assembly meets at least once a year. Decisions are made unanimously by the four affiliates. Each branch has one vote, carried by the president of the branch.
The Board of Directors
The Board is responsible for making decisions regarding the strategy, action plans, resources, and budgets for the interbranch. The Board of Directors meets as often as necessary, typically five times per year. Decisions are made unanimously by the four colleges. Each branch has one vote, carried by the president of the college.
Operational support
A team organised into 6 centres of expertise
To achieve this, the dairy interbranch relies on a team organised into six project-based centres: Science and Economics, Public Affairs, Prospectives, Marketing and Communication, Events and Digital, and General Services.
A regional network
The Criel are specialised sections of Cniel at the regional level. As autonomous associations or unions, their mission is to implement the national dairy sector strategy as closely as possible in line with the needs in the region.