Farms.com Home   News

Pacific Rim Trade Pact Ready To Advance; IDFA Awaits Dairy Details

After more than five years of grueling negotiations, officials from the United States and 11 other countries came to final agreement this week to conclude talks on the Trans-Pacific Partnership. The full details of the agreement have not been made public, but IDFA believes they may be released within the next 30 days in keeping with the timeline requirements outlined in the recently passed Trade Promotion Authority law.
 
 
Immediately following the announcement on Monday, IDFA released a statement thanking U.S. trade officials for their efforts.
 
“IDFA thanks U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman, U.S. Chief Agricultural Negotiator Darci Vetter and the entire U.S. interagency negotiating team for their hard work in bringing the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations to a close,” said Clay Hough, IDFA senior group vice president. “We look forward to reviewing the agreement’s dairy provisions as they become available."
 
How Will Dairy Fare?
 
Just today, USDA released a series of fact sheets that depict how each state and individual commodities may benefit from increased agricultural trade with the 11 other TPP countries.
 
The fact sheet on dairy products shows that Japan agreed to eliminate tariffs on cheese in 16 years and whey in 21 years, while quotas were created for whey, butter, milk powder, evaporated and condensed milk. Canada also agreed to eliminate tariffs for whey and to expand access through duty-free tariff-rate quotes for cheese, fluid milk, butter, milk powders and other products.
 
View the dairy products fact sheet for highlights about the United States and remaining nine countries.
 
The Sweetener Users Association, of which IDFA is a member, also released a statement on the impact that TPP will have on U.S. sugar markets.
 
Click here to see more...

Trending Video

Episode 79: Five Things to You Can Do During Drought to Manage Your Herd, Pastures and Health

Video: Episode 79: Five Things to You Can Do During Drought to Manage Your Herd, Pastures and Health

Despite recent rain in some areas, drought continues to hit hard across many parts of Canada, with some regions facing multiple years of dry conditions. If you’re navigating another tough season, this episode shares practical strategies to help protect your beef cattle operation—and your own wellbeing—during drought.