By Jerry Slominski, IDFA Senior Vice President, Legislative Affairs and Economic Policy

As the new Obama administration begins to take shape, many in the dairy sector are asking what all this change will mean to us.

Barack Obama was elected on a promise of change, and judging by his cabinet selection, he is serious about delivering on this promise with the economy, health care reform and energy policy. However, it may be too early to tell what — if any — significant changes we can expect in dairy policy.

The outgoing Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer, who replaced a former governor of a Midwestern state, is the former governor of a Midwestern state. Incoming Secretary Tom Vilsack is the former governor of — well you guessed it — a Midwestern state. With their shared roots, we may not see a major style or policy difference in the leadership at USDA.

Governor Vilsack enjoys a well-deserved reputation as a political moderate who balanced Iowa's state budget. He will face few greater challenges than guiding a dairy industry that has been rapidly changing and that will likely continue to change regardless of who is in the Oval Office.

In the area of trade, President-elect Obama has tapped former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk to replace Susan Schwab as the U.S. Trade Representative. Much like his predecessor, Mayor Kirk has been a consistent advocate for free trade. As shown by the recent decline in dairy prices, it is clear that our industry will not be immune from the worldwide economic downturn.

Because the Pacific Rim is a target region for U.S. dairy exports, we are encouraged that Mayor Kirk has supported normalized trade relations with China and hope that his nomination is a signal that the Obama administration is placing a high priority there as well.

So far, President-elect Obama's Cabinet selections in agriculture and trade indicate a pragmatic, moderate approach to governing. Speaking for the members of the International Dairy Foods Association, we hope that these new leaders will change what needs to be changed, but also that they will stay the course when that is the best direction to take.

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