NMPF Encourages Strong U.S. Focus on Opening Canadian Dairy Market
October 5, 2012
NMPF Encourages Strong U.S. Focus on Opening Canadian Dairy Market
NMPF testified at a hearing last month regarding the addition of Canada to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations. At the hearing, held by the office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), NMPF said that the exclusion of dairy from the U.S.-Canada portion of the North American Free Trade Agreement was a major missed opportunity and needs be rectified now through the TPP process. In addition to opening access to the Canadian market by elimination of its dairy tariffs, NMPF also stressed the importance of ensuring that non-tariff barriers do not thwart U.S. access, as had been seen in the past.
A similar message was delivered by 50 members of the House of Representatives in a letter sent to USTR last month with the same core messages. That letter underscored how vital it is for USTR to aggressively pursue an opening of the Canadian dairy and poultry markets, now that Canada will be actively participating in its first TPP round in December. The letter was instigated by Reps. Reid Ribble and Bill Owens, who were joined by all six Dairy Farmer Caucus Co-Chairs and many other members of Congress.
