The presentation titled “Listeria – Dairy’s No. 1 Enemy!” by Gary Dykes, focuses on the challenges posed by Listeria in the dairy industry. It outlines the ubiquitous presence of Listeria, its diversity, ability to survive harsh conditions, and persistence through biofilm formation. The presentation also highlights current novel solutions, such as endolysins, competitive exclusion, bacteriocins, plant-based antimicrobials, and bacteriophages, while cautioning against aggressive approaches (“Don’t start a war”). It concludes with considerations for future strategies, emphasizing the need for “fitness for purpose,” cost-effectiveness, and avoiding unintended consequences​.