Contact: Peggy Armstrong
(202) 202-3508
parmstrong@idfa.org
(Washington, D.C. – June 18, 2015) The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) today commended the House of Representatives for passing “The Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015,” the TPA-2015 bill, with a 218-208 vote.
“We applaud the House for passing the TPA-2015 bill and hope the Senate will pass it next week so that it can move to the President for his signature, “said Connie Tipton, president and CEO of IDFA. “This legislation will help to open new markets for U.S. dairy products, boost U.S. economic growth and support well-paying American jobs.
“The U.S. dairy industry will continue to grow and prosper with increased trade opportunities, and TPA is critical to ensuring that U.S. dairy companies receive the best deal in future trade agreements.” Tipton said.
IDFA is seeking comprehensive and significant market access for U.S. dairy exports from the two trade agreements currently under negotiation – the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership.
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About IDFA
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. IDFA is a member of the Trade Benefits America Coalition.
About the Trade Benefits America Coalition
The Trade Benefits America Coalition includes a wide range of associations and companies that are dedicated to the pursuit of U.S. international trade agreements that benefit American businesses, farmers, workers and consumers. The Coalition believes that passage of modernized Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) legislation is important to help ensure America continues to benefit from trade. For more information on the importance of enacting a modernized TPA to help support U.S. growth and jobs, visit the Trade Benefits America Coalition website at www.tradebenefitsamerica.org.