European Dairy Association
The European Dairy Association (EDA) is the voice of the milk processing industry (cooperative and private dairies) in the European Union. Its members are the national trade associations for dairy processors in the EU Member States. EDA's headquarters are located in the Schuman area in Brussels. The legal status of EDA under Belgian law is association internationale sans but lucratif (AISBL). History. The association was founded in 1995 by a merger of different dairy associations with ASSILEC, the predecessor organisation of the European Dairy Association (EDA). Its founding members were the national dairy associations of the  old EU-15 Member States. Since its foundation, the development of EDA has followed the further enlargement of the European Union and the deepening of EU policies. Today, the membership of EDA counts 22 national associations. In 2021, Giuseppe Ambrosi (Ambrosi, Italy) was appointed EDA Chair. Action. EDA voices the priorities of the milk processing industry on an EU level. On behalf of and in close cooperation with its members (national dairy associations), the association acts and interacts with international and EU institutions, non-governmental organisations, the international media and other relevant stakeholders (Codex Alimentarius, WTO). EDA is registered in the  European Transparency Register: 42967152383–63. Since the creation of the European Commission's Milk Market Observatory (MMO) on 16 April 2014, EDA has been appointed member of its Economic Board. Presidents. Secretary Generals Membership. The membership of the European Dairy Association (EDA) is composed of the national dairy associations representing the national dairy processors (private companies and cooperatives). Its network covers 22 national dairy associations. EDA is a member of the EU umbrella organisation FoodDrinkEurope.