News

USMCA passage is critical to the dairy economy

The agriculture industry wants trade issues between the US, Mexico, and Canada resolved sooner rather than later.  Dairy producers are no exception.

During a hearing on the state of the dairy economy, North Carolina Congressman, and ranking member of the Livestock and Foreign Agriculture Subcommittee, David Rouzer says dairy farmers need improved market conditions. “This is why swift approval of USMCA is so critical for our farmers and ranchers,” he says.  “According to the long-awaited analysis by the International Trade Commission dairy is one of the sectors with the most to gain from the renegotiated agreement with Canada and Mexico.”

And Andrei Mikhalevsky with California Dairies, Inc says Congress needs to swiftly pass the USMCA trade deal.  “Mexico is the top market for all dairy exports valued at $1.4 billion in 2018,” he says.  “Canada is second.  The USMCA deal, as negotiated, meets the dairy industry’s top priorities.”

He says China is the third largest exporting country for the US dairy industry, but the US hasn’t been on a level playing field with its competitors and he also wants to see that resolved.