WASHINGTON, May 13, 2022—Michael Dykes, D.V.M., president and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association, released the following statement today in support of the nomination of Alexis Taylor, a veteran of Capitol Hill, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the United States Army, for the long-vacant role of Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs at USDA:

“IDFA is very encouraged to see Alexis Taylor nominated for Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs at USDA. Ms. Taylor’s depth of experience in trade issues in previous, senior roles at the Department and presently with the Oregon Department of Agriculture, along with her longstanding commitment to advancing agricultural policy and U.S. exports, make her an ideal nominee for the position. She has been a strong supporter of the U.S. dairy industry and we are confident that, should she be confirmed, Ms. Taylor will continue to advance market opportunities for U.S. dairy around the world. We strongly urge the U.S. Senate to expedite a hearing to advance her nomination.

“Along with many agricultural sectors, IDFA’s trade priorities have moved slowly without the presence of either a Chief Agricultural Negotiator at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative or this position at USDA being filled. With Ms. Taylor’s nomination, IDFA looks to her leadership for resolving ongoing problems with the implementation of the U.S./EU dairy certificate, advancing a strategic outcome of the USMCA dispute on Canadian dairy tariff-rate quota administration, resolving long-term outstanding issues with Indonesia’s facility registration process, and growing market opportunities for U.S. dairy, among others.

“IDFA congratulates Alexis Taylor on her nomination and will be working with key congressional offices to urge her swift confirmation so that the dairy industry may have a stronger voice in trade policy decisions impacting our global competitiveness.”

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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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Matt Herrick

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