Gov. Walker: Attends 52nd Annual World Dairy Expo in Madison

Contact: Amy Hasenberg, (608) 266-2839

MADISON – Governor Scott Walker today visited the 52nd Annual World Dairy Expo at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison to tour the exhibition grounds and talk with attendees about Wisconsin’s dairy industry and the recently announced trade agreement between the United States, Mexico, and Canada (USMCA). The World Dairy Expo is running from October 2 – 6 and is expected to attract nearly 70,000 people.

“It’s great to be at the World Dairy Expo today, and we’re proud of the fact that it’s hosted right here in America’s Dairyland,” Governor Walker said. “The dairy industry contributes more than $43 billion to our state’s economy each year, so it’s important for us to be here and just thank everyone for what they do for the State of Wisconsin.”

The World Dairy Expo is the world’s largest dairy trade show. In 2017, the Expo’s total attendance reached nearly 70,000, and international guests from 97 countries registered to attend. While touring the exhibition grounds, Governor Walker spoke of the importance of the recent trade deal announced earlier this week:

“The recent trade deal between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada is a big win for Wisconsin’s dairy farmers,” Governor Walker continued. “This new deal will open up Canadian markets for our dairy farmers, eliminate certain tariffs, and eliminate Canada’s protectionist trade policies related to ultra-filtered milk that targeted Wisconsin dairy producers. We first raised this issue with President Trump in 2016, and we are glad that we did. We appreciate the President for listening to our concerns and for joining me in going to bat for Wisconsin’s dairy farmers.”

Details on the USMCA from the United States Trade Representative:

Key Achievement: Expanded Market Access for American Food and Agricultural Products.

America’s dairy farmers will have new export opportunities to sell dairy products into Canada. Canada will provide new access for United States products including fluid milk, cream, butter, skim milk powder, cheese, and other dairy products. It will also eliminate its tariffs on whey and margarine. For poultry, Canada will provide new access for United States chicken and eggs and increase its access for turkey. Under a modernized agreement, all other tariffs on agricultural products traded between the United States and Mexico will remain at zero.

Key Achievement: Canada’s Milk Classes 6 and 7 to Be Eliminated.

The top priority for America’s dairy industry in this negotiation has been for Canada to eliminate its program that allows low priced dairy ingredients to undersell United States dairy sales in Canada and in third country markets. As a result of the negotiation, Canada will eliminate what is known as its milk classes 6 and 7. In addition, Canada will apply export charges to its exports of skim milk powder, milk protein concentrates and infant formula at volumes over agreed threshold, which will allow United States producers to expand sales overseas.