IDFA has decided to revive the U.S. Coalition for Nutritional Ingredients to counter proposed legislation that would impose trade restrictions on imported dairy ingredients. The coalition has successfully blocked similar types of legislation in the past and plans to work for laws that promote market-oriented approaches in agricultural trade and encourage domestic production.

The legislation (S.1542), which was introduced July 30 by Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY), would impose tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) on imported milk protein concentrates (MPC), casein and caseinates. TRQs are a two-tiered tariff structure with a lower tariff for imports up to a certain quantity and a much higher tariff for import quantities above that level. If enacted, the bill would mean higher production costs for IDFA members and many other food manufacturers.

Led by IDFA, the coalition is comprised of more than 40 food manufacturing organizations and companies, as well as several consumer groups. IDFA members, such as Davisco Foods International; Dean Foods Company; General Mills Inc.; Kraft Foods; Lactalis/Sorrento, Inc.; Sargento Foods Inc.; Saputo Cheese USA, Inc.; and Schreiber Foods, Inc., have been active participants in the past.