New MOUs enhance US and South America dairy collaboration
Recently marked a significant progress for the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) and the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) as they expanded their partnerships in South America.
The organizations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Brazil’s Abraleite and renewed another with Argentina’s Sociedad Rural Argentina (SRA).
These agreements are set to strengthen the ties between the dairy industries of the United States and South America. They focus on crucial areas such as economic growth, social impacts of the dairy sector, and the easing of trade barriers that affect producers and consumers alike.
Krysta Harden, USDEC’s president and CEO, highlighted the importance of these partnerships. “Our collaborations in South America are vital as we promote dairy benefits globally and counteract restrictive trade policies,” she stated.
A notable aspect of the renewed MOU with SRA is the launch of a Sustainability and Trade Taskforce. This initiative aims to counteract European policies that might disadvantage American and Argentine producers, advocating for sustainable livestock production and science-based trade policies.
Gregg Doud, NMPF's president and CEO, emphasized the common challenges across the hemisphere. “We are eager to work with Abraleite and SRA to forward policies that foster dairy growth and reduce trade barriers,” he noted.
These MOUs build upon an earlier partnership with Colombia’s Asoleche, highlighting the importance of finding common ground amidst challenges like the countervailing duty investigation into U.S. milk powder exports by Colombia.
In addition to these, USDEC and NMPF have formed similar agreements with other Latin American entities, including the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture and Chile’s Fedeleche, underscoring a commitment to a robust global dairy industry.