WASHINGTON, January 31, 2022—Michael Dykes, D.V.M., President and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association, released the following statement today on the Biden Administration’s announcement to seek additional capacity at the Port of Oakland and improve service for shippers of U.S. grown agricultural commodities including dairy exports:

“On behalf of the businesses throughout the dairy supply chain, IDFA is pleased to see the Biden Administration committing federal resources toward new solutions for prioritizing the export of U.S. dairy and other agricultural goods along the West Coast where acute supply chain challenges are hampering American competitiveness. It is encouraging to see governments and businesses working together in a coordinated fashion to develop market-based solutions. IDFA recently announced a Dairy Exports Working Group with the Port of Los Angeles and shipping company CMA CGM to identify and address similar supply chain issues hindering U.S. dairy product exports. We are hopeful that these announcements together signal a new group of ‘supply chain problem solvers’ to create momentum to smooth current obstacles and avoid significant future disruptions so that American agriculture can continue to thrive.”

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The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), Washington, D.C., represents the nation’s dairy manufacturing and marketing industry, which supports more than 3.3 million jobs that generate $41.6 billion in direct wages and $753 billion in overall economic impact. IDFA’s diverse membership ranges from multinational organizations to single-plant companies, from dairy companies and cooperatives to food retailers and suppliers, all on the cutting edge of innovation and sustainable business practices. Together, they represent 90 percent of the milk, cheese, ice cream, yogurt and cultured products, and dairy ingredients produced and marketed in the United States and sold throughout the world. Delicious, safe and nutritious, dairy foods offer unparalleled health and consumer benefits to people of all ages.

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