US Administration Concludes New Trade Agreement with Canada, Mexico

Negotiators from the United States, Canada and Mexico on Monday released the text of a new trilateral agreement that would replace NAFTA, called the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA. It preserves U.S. dairy’s market access in Mexico, improves dairy market access in Canada and eliminates Canada’s Class 7 pricing system. Read more here.

IDFA Insight, Trade Priorities Gain News Coverage

Several outlets covering Washington news turned to IDFA for perspective on the dairy provisions included in the new trade agreement. Michael Dykes, D.V.M., IDFA president and CEO, shared his insights with reporters at The Hill and Reuters, as well as POLITICO PRO, which is a subscription-only service.

“Five things to know about Trump's new NAFTA” (The Hill)

“ANALYST VIEW 3-In Trump win, Canada, U.S. deal saves NAFTA as trilateral pact” (Reuters)

Read IDFA’s joint press release with the National Milk Producers Federation and the U.S. Dairy Export Council here.

Current Farm Bill Expires

The 2014 Farm Bill expired on Sunday after congressional agricultural leaders could not reach an agreement on key issues involving the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and other commodity programs. Most major programs, such as nutrition and crop insurance programs, are not due to expire until Dec. 31. However, there are 39 so-called “orphan programs” that have funding authorization tied exclusively to the 2014 Farm Bill. Read more here.

Kavanaugh Hearings Raise Stakes for Senate Elections

The stakes are rising for candidates looking to gain ground in the upcoming Senate elections. Millions across the nation closely tracked developments in the Senate-conducted confirmation hearings for Judge Brett Kavanaugh, a Supreme Court nominee. At the same time, Pew Research Center polling revealed that the Supreme Court has now become the most important issue to voters this year. Read more here.