On behalf of Global Dairy Platform:
In response to the request for feedback on V0 draft of the HLPE report on Reducing inequalities for food security and nutrition, we respectfully submit the following:
This report will make an important contribution to the work of the CFS. It is good that the report recognizes that food security and Nutrition (FSN) is context-specific and requires diverse solutions operating at a range of scales. The report examines agri-food systems generally, which assumes uniformity of impact across all forms of agriculture. However, specific agricultural systems may have very different impacts than others (i.e., dairy, soybean, chickens, lamb, corn, etc.). Although an in-depth discussion on differing effects of various foods and food production systems on FSN in the context of inequalities and inequities may not be suitable for this report, it should at least be recognized with some discussion or examples. There is some recognition of the impact that livestock may have on improving FSN and reducing some inequities. The role of dairying in providing FSN and reducing inequalities may provide a good example to highlight. Dairy is relevant, according to the FAO (http://www.fao.org/3/cb2992en/cb2992en.pdf), there are approximately 133 million dairy farms globally, with 600 million people living on these farms deriving their livelihood from dairying. The livelihood of an additional 400 million people are supported by the jobs created up and downstream from the farm. There are approximately 240 million jobs created by the dairy sector. Of the 133 million farms, 37 million are female headed, with 80 million women engaged in dairy farming to some extent. An FAO report on Dairy Developments Impact on Poverty Reduction (https://www.fao.org/3/ca2185en/CA2185EN.pdf) provides evidence of the relationship between dairy development and improvements in human welfare. This report showed that dairy provides a pathway out of poverty for individuals, families, and communities. Women empowered by dairy have increased income and influence.
Another FAO report, Dairy’s Impact on Reducing Global Hunger: research summary (https://www.fao.org/publications/card/en/c/CB1198EN/), provides quantitative evidence on the positive impact dairying can have on eradicating hunger globally. It was found that increasing household production of dairy increased dairy consumption which was associated with child linear growth and reduced stunting.
Dairy foods are nutrient rich and intake has been associated with reduced risk of several chronic diseases (diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, osteoporosis/fractures, over weight). It has been shown that adequate dairy intake as part of a healthy diet can reduce health care costs (Scrafford et al. Nutrients 2020, 12, 233; doi:10.3390/nu12010233).
The impact of dairying is a good example of how production and consumption of a specific food type can impact FSN and improve inequalities.
Additional Comments on the report:
In this report, it seems some inequality issues (i.e., gender) may have a larger impact in LMIC, I believe it would strengthen this report if it was made clearer when the impact of this issue (or others) is occurring mainly in LMIC or HIC as was done with stigma related to obesity (mainly wealthy countries)
In chapter 2 it would be good to reference Ty Beal paper recently published in Lancet (Micronutrient deficiencies among preschool-aged children and women of reproductive age worldwide: a pooled analysis of individual-level data from population-representative surveys https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(22)00367-9/fulltext#.Y7XuwoJe6bs.twitter), as it provides the most recent data on micronutrient deficiencies globally and shows HICs have more deficiencies than previously thought.
In chapter 3, pg. 62., it states: “A high proportion of such challenges in the health and nutrition arena related to aspects such as labelling, and regulatory chill compromises nutritional quality of diets and the utilization dimension of food security.” However, it should be recognized that the data on the value of nutrition and FOP labeling in changing dietary patterns seems to be small and the data is inconsistent ( Are Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labels Influencing Food Choices and Purchases, Diet Quality, and Modeled Health Outcomes? A Narrative Review of Four Systems https://www.mdpi.com/2043952 #mdpinutrients via @Nutrients_MDPI Dec. 2022).
Gregory D. Miller, Ph.D., F.A.S.N.
Global Chief Science Officer, National Dairy Council
Executive Vice President, Dairy Management, Inc.
Nutritional Security, Sector Lead, Global Dairy Platform
Dr. Gregory Miller