IDFA is asking members to contact Congress and urge them to pass modernized Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) legislation. TPA ensures that pending and new trade and investment agreements that benefit the U.S. dairy industry move forward to completion with only an up-or-down vote in Congress without amendments. This facet of the legislation assures U.S. negotiating partners that concessions made during the negotiation will not be undone through amendments.

"The U.S. dairy industry is seeking a more liberalized international dairy market, and we believe that the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (T-TIP) will increase market access for U.S. dairy exports," said Clay Hough, IDFA senior group vice president. "We hope that TPA can be renewed so these trade agreements can move forward.”

IDFA has drafted a sample letter that members can quickly and easily send directly to members of Congress.

For questions regarding TPA, contact Beth Hughes, IDFA director of international affairs, at bhughes@idfa.org.

For questions regarding the GrassRoots Action Network for Dairy (GRAND) program, how to identify lawmakers representing your facilities, or for assistance reaching out to legislators, contact Ashley Burch, IDFA assistant director of political programs, at aburch@idfa.org.