Although U.S. representatives met with Chinese officials this week in an attempt to resolve issues surrounding U.S. dairy exports, no resolution or further extension for the health certificates in question has been announced. Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed that U.S. food-grade dairy products would be allowed into China as long as they hold a current certificate issued on or before May 30.

The ongoing discussions regarding U.S. dairy exports began shortly after April 21, when the Chinese General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) notified U.S. government officials that China planned to stop accepting U.S. food-grade dairy products as of May 1. The decision, the letter stated, was due to the lack of an agreed-upon health certificate for the exports.

Since that time, U.S. officials secured a 30-day extension that applied to the certificate issuance date. The extension also applied to shipments of U.S. food-grade dairy exports to China, with a heath certificate dated on or before May 30, that may still be on the water after June 1.

"We are encouraged to see U.S. government officials and their Chinese counterparts continue to work diligently towards a solution," said Clay Hough, IDFA senior group vice president. "We'll notify members as soon as we learn that an extension or long-term solution has been negotiated between the two parties."