News

National Milk on formula legislation, whole milk

The National Milk Producers Federation says a recent bill to remove trade barriers on baby formula imports would be a burden for the U.S. dairy industry.

Shawna Morris tells Brownfield the Formula 3.0 Act is a misguided response to the infant formula shortage last year from a temporary production crisis.

“Production has recovered, and FDA has even recently testified that formula stocking rates are above the levels that we saw in last year prior to things being disrupted,” she explains.  “We think it’s entirely the wrong direction for Congress to be making these unilateral tariff eliminations outside the context of any sort of free trade agreement or two-way trade benefits.”

She says building up domestic production would provide greater stability for the U.S. supply while this legislation would reduce demand for American dairy products and harm dairy farmers.

Representatives Adrian Smith (R-NE) and Don Beyer (D-VA) – along with Senators Mike Lee (R-UT) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) – introduced the bipartisan, bicameral legislation.

Meanwhile, the House Education and the Workforce Committee has approved the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act which NMPF says is a significant step toward expanding healthy milk options in schools that can improve students’ nutrient intake.