IDFA President and CEO Connie Tipton recently warned members of the U.S. House Congressional Job Creators Caucus that a key segment of the National Milk Producers Federation's proposal for dairy reform would reduce dairy exports and slow the job creation potential of growing U.S. dairy exports. In a letter sent last week, Tipton called out the shortcomings of the Dairy Market Stabilization Program, part of NMPF's Foundation for the Future, which would establish a government-mandated, supply-control program for the dairy industry.
"Although it is being described by NMPF as not having an impact on U.S. exports, partly because it is temporary or emergency in nature, recent analysis found that the stabilization program will increase domestic prices for dairy products well above international levels, with corresponding damage to dairy exports and job losses here in the United States," Tipton stated.
She explained that dairy manufacturers support over 120,000 jobs across the nation. Over the past decade dairy exports have expanded by nearly $2.5 billion, bringing growth that equates to more than 20,000 new jobs in the United States.
Caucus Endorsed Pending Trade Pacts
The caucus recently endorsed the pending U.S. free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea, noting the potential that increased exports hold for creating American jobs. IDFA's letter congratulated the members on their support and advocacy for international trade and job creation, and cautioned that any supply control program would be contrary to these goals. IDFA also enclosed the recent economic analysis by IDFA Chief Economist Bob Yonkers, which highlighted the export reductions that would come under NMPF's supply control proposal. Read the economic review here.
Tipton sent the letter to 13 caucus members: Representatives Diane Black (R-TN), Rick Crawford (R-AR), Robert Dold (R-IL), William Flores (R-TX), Richard Hanna (R-NY), Vicky Hartzler (R-MO), Mike Kelly (R-PA), William Long (R-MO), Tom Reed (R-NY), Reid Ribble (R-WI), Scott Rigell (R-VA), Robert Schilling (R-IL) and Marlin Stutzman (R-IN).
For more information, contact Jerry Slominski, IDFA senior vice president of legislative affairs and economic policy, at jslominski@idfa.org or (202) 220-3512.