Cniel, an interprofessional organisation serving the goals of the French dairy sector
For over 50 years, the French Interprofessional Centre for the Dairy Economy (Cniel) has represented the collective resolution of dairy sector stakeholders to work together to build a trusted, efficient and sustainable sector firmly anchored in France’s dairy regions. A sector that is responsive to society and the world of today and tomorrow.
More than an association - an interprofessional organisation.
More than just milk – an entire sector of stakeholders and regions offering over 1500 different dairy products!
The Cniel was created in 1974 as an association to represent the cow’s milk sector. It is composed of national organisations representing dairy production, processing, distribution, catering and export trade.
As part of this common affiliation, representatives from each of the member organisations – grouped into four branches – determine the sector's collective strategy in the short- and medium-term for the benefit of everyone - milk professionals and consumers alike.
Understanding, organising and acting: this triad is the foundation of the Cniel methodology, with the mission of assisting the sector progress towards greater sustainability, responsibility and competitiveness.
Together committed to building a sustainable, efficient and trusted dairy sector.
The Cniel missions
Cniel contributes to the structuration, development and sustainability of the dairy sector by providing a common ground and place for the different stakeholders to come together to discuss the topics that challenge this essential sector of the French economy.
The actions of Cniel fulfil three key missions:
Focus on the Cniel 2023-2025 Strategic Roadmap
In 2022, the strategic roadmap of the Cniel for the 2023-2025 period was approved by the French public authorities.
The Cniel Board of Directors reaffirmed the importance of the France Terre de Lait social responsibility initiative to sustain its opportunities, create value for all stakeholders, and ensure French food sovereignty. Two challenges were prioritised: the attractiveness of the dairy sector and its professions, and the reduction of its carbon footprint.
9 principles that define our DNA
The Cniel in numbers
Cniel: From Yesterday to Today
Cniel, the French Interprofessional Centre for the Dairy Economy, was created following the milk strike of 1972 by virtue of the conciliatory efforts of the three professional groups representing cooperatives (FNCL), private industries (FNIL), and milk producers (FNPL). Its model was recognised by French legislators at its inception and by the European Union in 2012 via the Milk Package initiative.
The CVO (mandatory voluntary contribution) is a contribution on collected milk paid by producers and processors. The principle of this contribution was defined in an interprofessional agreement on 10 February 1976 and made mandatory by law.
An iconic campaign aimed at consumers to promote the quality and diversity of French dairy products. More than 40 years later, the campaign song is still well-known by both the young and old!
Cniel and the federations moved into the Maison du Lait (House of Milk) building in Paris. Cohabitation had already begun in 1993, but for the first time, the sector had its own home. This gave a special meaning and strength to the interprofessional body in its pursuit of the common good for the entire sector.
Stakeholders from dairy commerce, distribution, and catering joined Cniel in the framework of the Etats généraux de l'alimentation (General states of food; FCD, AGORES, FCA, FFF, RESTAUCO, and SNRC). This brought together all four actors of the sector, from upstream to downstream, within the interprofessional affiliation.
The sector committed to creating a social responsibility reference framework, a high-quality standard for milk and dairy products. This approach is based on four performances of the sector: economic and social, sanitary, food, and responsible production.