Discover how the U.S. and Mexico dairy industries are uniting for shared growth. Will their 12-point plan revolutionize North American milk production? Find out now.
Imagine this: you’re standing alongside industry representatives from both the United States and Mexico, in the heart of Chihuahua, Mexico. The goal? To forge a robust, powerful fellowship between the two mighty dairy sectors. This is no small talk, casual coffee meet-up. No, this is the sixth assembly of its kind since the year 2016 and its gravity is blatant. Seated around the long, broad table are some of the biggest movers and shakers in the game – each one there to tackle challenges and pinpoint shared goals that will benefit both nations. Welcome to the world of dairy diplomacy.
Unified Approach to the Dairy Sector
Across this expansive table sat key representatives from the U.S and Mexico. Looking closer into the American delegation, you’d find stalwarts from the U.S. Dairy Export Council and the National Milk Producers Federation, along with several farmer and business personnel integral to the dairy business. All there, setting the agenda for the future of the American dairy sector.
Let’s fly across the border to Mexico. Their delegation was no less influential, hoarding titans like the Confederación Nacional de Organizaciones Ganaderas and the Consejo Nacional Agropecuario, among others. They not only stood for the country’s dairy and livestock sector but also represented Mexico’s agriculture industry.
These are the powerhouses fueling the dairy business, affecting the life of the cattle rearing farmers, resonating through milk production plants, and reaching to the consumers’ breakfast tables. Their collaboration, decisions, and strategies shape the dairy industry for both nations.
“Mexico is and will continue to be an invaluable companion for U.S. dairy,” these are not my words, but those of U.S. Dairy Export Council CEO Krysta Harden. She believes such meet-ups are the key to “strengthening those ties and setting the dairy sectors in both countries up for continued success.” And, believe it or not, your trip to the grocery store may soon reflect this transnational unity.
Fortifying the Dairy Industry Through a Comprehensive Action Plan
Coming to the final stages of the significant meeting, delegates from both regions unanimously put forward a comprehensive 12-point action plan, aiming to fortify the North American dairy production. Imagine for a moment, a fortified North American dairy sector, emanating with strength, showcasing vibrancy and demonstrating how unity can indeed foster growth.
On their Sixth annual meeting within the framework of the partnership to strengthen the milk production sector in North America, held in the city of Chihuahua, Mexico, hereby agree to:
- Preserve, facilitate, and improve trade between the two
- Preserve this forum for discussion and analysis of relevant topics and issues of the milk and dairy producing sectors of Mexico and the United States.
- Have as a key objective the growth of dairy consumption in both countries for the benefit of producers, manufacturers and consumers in the United States and Mexico.
- Promote joint activities seeking to increase the consumption of dairy products within our
- Identify and promote actions that improve the productivity of dairy farms in Mexico and the United States.
- Strengthen the image of milk and dairy products in both countries to defend against the misuse of milk and dairy product names by other products of non-dairy origin.
- Maintain an open communication channel between the milk and dairy producer organizations of both countries, with the aim of reaching consensus for the benefit of our Likewise, exchange information and successful experiences through the participation of members of both countries in forums and congresses organized by our associations.
- Work on strengthening cooperation in technological exchange and training, both in terms of on-farm milk production and in improving the quality and safety of milk and dairy products from a nutritional and health standpoint.
- Work to share information on key new areas such as sustainability, animal welfare, farm labor, and other issues as they arise and are mutually agreed upon for the benefit of our producers and industry to ensure that we coordinate dairy advocacy efforts in international forums and among consumers.
- Exchange information about the performance of the milk and dairy products market in the North America region.
- Continue with activities to defend common food names, particularly cheese names, thus allowing their free use in our North American market.
- Develop a work plan on the issues of the common agenda, with indicators and a follow-up program with scheduled meetings.
Emphasizing Trade and Enhancing Production
These industry leaders didn’t just stop at acknowledging the need for cooperation. They delved deeper, binding themselves to a covenant to uphold, streamline, and augment trade activities between the two friendly neighbors, Mexico and the U.S. Does the thought of annual get-togethers of these dairy stalwarts to thrash out issues impacting the industry excite you? Because, that was agreed upon too.
Moreover, these visionaries swore to foster activities targeted at amplifying milk consumption and identifying innovative methods to pump up dairy farm productivity. You, the consumer, are central to their plans. Your morning coffee, your nutritious smoothie, your evening cookie – all set to get an upgrade with increased milk supply!
Unified Stand and Future Plans
Communication, they say, is key and these dairy dynamos agree. The United States and Mexico, in a unified stance, are dedicated to retaining transparency and fostering communication channels between their dairy organizations. This is not only a boost for business, but also promises better investigator relationships, improved technologies, and information exchanges of critical industry issues.
So, what’s on the agenda? There’s a lot brewing – defending common food names, specifically cheese terms, is a high priority, as they strive to preserve authenticity in the North American market. No more ‘cheese product’ masquerading as the real deal. This stance ensures that when you reach for a slice of Cheddar or a block of Monterey Jack, you’re getting exactly what you pay for.
Of course, nothing is set in stone yet. These plans are just the beginning – a roadmap of sorts. The two nations have committed to drafting a comprehensive work plan detailing all these issues and more. Future meetings have already been planned to dissect and discuss this shared agenda. This continued dialogue promises not just short-term solutions, but a long-term vision for the mutually beneficial growth of the dairy sector.
Gregg Doud, National Milk Producers Federation, aptly sums up the resolutions, “The U.S. and Mexico dairy industries are key partners in their shared mission to grow demand and protect dairy’s public image. The renewed commitment signed today further strengthens our important relationship.“
Key Takeaways:
- The meeting between US and Mexico dairy industry representatives focused on creating a stronger partnership for mutual growth and success in the dairy sector.
- The two sides agreed to a 12-point plan that includes various actionable steps to fortify the North American dairy industry, such as improving trade practices, raising milk consumption, and boosting dairy farm productivity.
- Collaboration in areas like technological exchange and training, sustainability, animal welfare, and farm labor was also agreed upon as part of the comprehensive plan agreed.
- The representatives undertook to defend the dairy sector’s image, particularly against the misuse of milk and dairy-related terms by non-dairy product producers.
- The consensus was to maintain an open communication channel between the two countries to ensure regular updates and feedback on progress made in implementing the joint action plan.
- Both sides acknowledge the importance of shared learning and value the benefits gained from their annual meetings since 2016.
