A bill introduced in the U.S. House last week by Representative Peter Welch (D-VT) seeks to impose tariff-rate quotas on imported milk protein concentrates (MPC), casein and caseinates. The Milk Import Tariff Equity Act is a companion bill to the one introduced in the Senate this summer by Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY). IDFA opposes the bills and recommends a more market-oriented approach that would encourage domestic production of the ingredients. 

The Milk Import Tariff Equity Act is a companion bill to the one introduced in the Senate in July by Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY). As of today, the House bill, H.R. 3674, has 17 co-sponsors and is expected to garner more support in the coming weeks.

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 this bill were to pass, the higher tariffs would significantly decrease imports of these functional ingredients. Rather than restrict trade, IDFA recommends a more market-oriented approach that would that encourage domestic production of the ingredients.

"Just as we have defeated earlier versions of the Milk Import Tariff Equity Act in previous Congresses, we will work hard to make sure that these two bills are not passed and signed into law," said Clay Hough, IDFA senior group vice president.

The U.S. Coalition for Nutritional Ingredients, led by IDFA, began work in early August to oppose the Senate bill. The group will continue working to block attempts to place unnecessary trade barriers on MPC, casein and caseinate imports.