Kagen Says Trade Deal Could Make or Break U.S. Dairy Industry

Wisconsin’s only member on the House Agriculture Committee says he is urging the Obama Administration to renegotiate certain provisions of the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal. Rep. Steve Kagen of Appleton met with U.S. Trade Ambassador Ron Kirk this week, where he said the dairy industry could be jeopardized if the deal goes through in its current form.

Kagen was among a group of bi-partisan lawmakers and other industry officials representing the dairy industry during the meeting. They claim the policy, which would reduce trade barriers in seven Asian-Pacific countries, would be modeled after NAFTA and CAFTA free trade deals. Many feel those agreements have cost high paying jobs throughout the years.

The group says the TPP could have a similar effect on dairy, in part because it costs more to produce milk in U.S. than in other regions around the world.