“Removing trade and regulatory barriers to our products is a proven way to allow dairy to reach its full potential here at home,” said the National Taxpayers Union (NTU), a nonprofit taxpayer’s advocacy group, in an article published last week.

The group cited the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s recent bulk cheese purchases as a clear sign of disconnect between dairy production and market signals.

It called regulatory reforms and new free-trade agreements the biggest growth opportunities for the industry.

“Opening markets, not government tinkering, remains the best way to secure the future for dairy farmers and put consumers back in charge of the American menu,” it said.