Statement from Michael Dykes, D.V.M., IDFA President and CEO, on Passage of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act by Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

 

Michael Dykes, D.V.M., president and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association, released a statement today on passage of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 by the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. Next, the bill will proceed to a vote by the full Senate. A similar bill was passed by the House of Representatives in December, positioning the measure to be signed into law once passed by the full Senate.

“On behalf of the U.S. dairy industry, I want to thank the Senate Commerce Committee for working in a bipartisan manner to move this important bill forward. I encourage the Senate to move expeditiously to vote on the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 so that companies across the dairy supply chain can begin to access new resources and important tools to address supply chain bottlenecks plaguing U.S. dairy and food exports. IDFA strongly encourages the Senate to pass this bill in a timely manner.

“The Ocean Shipping Reform Act places disciplines on ocean carriers’ ability to decline export cargo and when demurrage can be charged, helping to get U.S. exports on the water in a more timely manner. It also strengthens the oversight authority of the Federal Maritime Commission over ocean carriers, the vast majority of which are foreign owned and have no incentive to ensure the successful export of U.S. dairy products.

“Through the IDFA Supply Chain Task Force and Dairy Exports Working Group, IDFA members and partners continue to look for long-term solutions to help U.S. dairy reach its full export potential. Unlike 20 years ago when we exported very little, the U.S. dairy industry today is the third-largest dairy exporting nation in the world, selling 16% of our annual milk production to trading partners around the world. Preserving export routes and eliminating supply chain bottlenecks is absolutely essential to many businesses and employees across the United States who make nutritious, sustainable dairy foods.”