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Supporting Free Trade
Bush to lead efforts on CAFTA-DR.
In May, President George
W. Bush pledged to get personally involved in the fight for congressional
approval of the U.S. Free Trade Agreement with Central America and the
Dominican Republic (CAFTA-DR). His remarks were made during a meeting with
six presidents of CAFTA-DR nations, who were in Washington, D.C., to talk
to Congress about the benefits of the trade pact.
The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) and
other supporters of the pact welcomed the news. “President
Bush’s personal leadership will bring a much-needed boost to the
agreement’s supporters on Capitol Hill,” said Clay Hough, IDFA
senior vice president and general counsel. “This is an excellent time
for our members to redouble their efforts to contact lawmakers in support
of this deal, which would create new market opportunities for U.S. dairy
products.”
Hough added that “CAFTA-DR is crucial to
demonstrating the United States’ commitment to free trade, which is
particularly important for a successful agreement in the World Trade
Organization’s Doha Round.”
Meanwhile, in the Senate, current discussions are
focused on whether sugar provisions of the agreement will be altered. While
the vast majority of the U.S. food and agriculture community supports
CAFTA-DR, sugar growers are among the strongest opponents of the agreement,
which permits a minimal amount of sugar imports to enter the United States.
Hough noted that three of the Central American
countries — Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras — have already
ratified the agreement. “The sugar lobby should not be able to change
a deal that the United States has already made with trading
partners,” he said.
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Charles Grassley
(R-Iowa), whose committee has jurisdiction over trade agreements, said that
he will not accept a sugar compromise that alters the underlying text of
the agreement. A letter to House leadership in support of CAFTA-DR was
drafted May 25. Signers included representatives from virtually all
agricultural sectors.
For background information or details on how to
contact Congress with your opinion of CAFTA-DR, visit www.idfa.org.
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Product and promotion news
partnership with Organic Valley is indicative of the
dairy’s commitment to giving consumers a choice for their families.
“Oakhurst recognizes the fact that northern New England consumers who
drink milk want a choice,” says Stanley Bennett, president of
Oakhurst. “Whether they want whole, lowfat, fat-free or flavored
milk, milk for lactose-sensitive consumers, creams or a variety of organic
milk products, when people buy milk from Oakhurst, they want fresh, natural
milk products with no artificial growth hormones used.” Distribution
began in April.
Last month, whether consumers were looking for
something south of the border or craving an old favorite, Wisconsin cheese
had it covered. The May Cheese of the Month program from the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board kept
things interesting with cheddar, a Wisconsin classic, along with queso
blanco and queso fresco, two popular Hispanic-style cheeses.
Specialty-cheese stores throughout Wisconsin showcased these selections
during the month by offering samples, serving tips, pairing suggestions and
recipes to consumers hoping to put a twist in their mealtime routine.
May’s Fiesta Pizza with Wisconsin queso blanco was a fitting choice
for Cinco de Mayo celebrations, while Wisconsin Cheese Scalloped Carrots
made a scrumptious accompaniment to many meals. For more information about
the Wisconsin Cheese of the Month program, recipes and a list of
participating Wisconsin cheese specialty stores, visit
www.wisdairy.com/com.
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