On July 18, IDFA submitted a letter to FDA Deputy Commissioner Frank Yiannas, FDA Food Safety and Nutrition Director Susan Mayne, USDA Under Secretary Greg Ibach, and USDA Under Secretary Ted McKinney in support of their discussion to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The MOU would help increase dairy exports by outlining specific responsibilities of each agency to expedite the export certification process and maintain consistency within the dairy industry.

“In 2018, the U.S. dairy exporters sold more than $5.4 billion worth of dairy products including cheese, butter, milk powders and other ingredients overseas,” the letter states. “Expediting the export process for dairy products is a crucial step in ensuring the industry reaches its full potential. With more than 95 percent of our potential customers living outside the United States, easing trade barriers and growing exports is essential for future success.”

For more information, contact Beth Hughes, IDFA Senior Director of International Affairs.