THE LOBBY OF THE NATIONAL MILK PRODUCERS FEDERATION AND THE U.S. DAIRY EXPORT COUNCIL (USA)

For the National Milk Producers Federation and the U.S. Dairy Export Council, there is a deep concern about the EU’s overall approach to SPS [sanitary and phytosanitary] issues, and  they point out that EU MEPs are frequently given the ability to override the EU’s own scientific authority’s findings and are calling instead for restrictions on products based typically on animal welfare or consumer preferences.

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) develops and carries out policies that advance the well-being of dairy producers and the cooperatives they own. The members of NMPF’s cooperatives produce the majority of the U.S. milk supply, making NMPF the voice of more than 32,000 dairy producers on Capitol Hill and with government agencies.

NMPF provides a forum through which dairy farmers and their cooperatives formulate policy on national issues that affect milk production and marketing. NMPF's contribution to this policy is aimed at improving the economic interests of dairy farmers, thus assuring the nation's consumers an adequate supply of pure, wholesome, and nutritious milk and dairy products.

The policies of NMPF are determined by its members from across the U.S. . Therefore, the policy positions expressed by NMPF are the only nationwide expression of dairy farmers and their cooperatives on national public policy.

The U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) is a non-profit, independent membership organization that represents the global trade interests of U.S. dairy producers, proprietary processors and cooperatives, ingredient suppliers and export traders. Its mission is through analysis and collaboration, enhance demand for U.S. dairy products and ingredients by securing access and assisting suppliers to meet market needs that facilitate sales. USDEC accomplishes these goals through market development programs that seek to:

• Build overseas demand for U.S. dairy products
• Resolve market access barriers
• Advance the industry's trade policy goals

USDEC activities are supported by staff across the United States and overseas in Mexico, South America, Asia, Middle East and Europe. USDEC is funded primarily by the dairy promotion check-off program. It also receives export activity support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). Membership dues fund the trade policy and lobbying activities of the Council.