IDFA Urges Bipartisan Support and Quick Action on Trade Promotion Authority Bill

WASHINGTON, Jan. 10, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The International Dairy Foods Association urges members of Congress to move quickly to pass the Trade Priorities Act (TPA) of 2014 that was introduced yesterday by Senators Max Baucus (D-MT) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Representative Dave Camp (R-MI). The bill outlines key objectives and requirements aimed at helping Congress and the Executive Branch to work together to advance trade agreements that will create jobs for American workers and growth opportunities for U.S. businesses.

The United States is actively pursuing an ambitious set of trade negotiations, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, which are important to the health of the U.S. dairy industry. This bipartisan legislation would renew trade promotion authority, which expired in 2007, for the president and ensure that Congress would play a meaningful role in shaping U.S. trade negotiations and achieving results.

The bill includes several key negotiating objectives, such as the reduction or elimination of tariffs, robust rules on sanitary and phytosanitary measures, and preventing the improper use of geographical indications, all of which make it easier and less costly for U.S. dairy companies to compete globally.

"The U.S. dairy industry is seeking a more liberalized international dairy market, and we believe that balanced free trade agreements will increase market access for U.S. dairy exports," said Connie Tipton, IDFA president and CEO. "We urge members of Congress on both sides of the aisle to move quickly to advance this legislation so the positive progress on TPP and TTIP will continue, opening a wealth of opportunity for U.S. business and job growth."

The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), Washington, D.C, represents the nation's dairy manufacturing and marketing industries and their suppliers, with a membership of 550 companies within a $125-billion a year industry. IDFA is composed of three constituent organizations: the Milk Industry Foundation (MIF), the National Cheese Institute (NCI) and the International Ice Cream Association (IICA). IDFA's nearly 200 dairy processing members run nearly 600 plant operations, and range from large multi-national organizations to single-plant companies. Together they represent more than 85 percent of the milk, cultured products, cheese, ice cream and frozen desserts produced and marketed in the United States.

SOURCE International Dairy Foods Association

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