Lawmakers Oppose Foreign Probe of Powdered Milk Exports

Four U.S. House members urged the Colombian government last week to end a “meritless” investigation of U.S. powdered milk exports. Reps. Adrian Smith, R-Neb.; Jim Costa, D-Calif.; Dusty Johnson, R-S.D.; and Jimmy Panetta, D-Calif., made their plea in a letter to Colombian Ambassador to the U.S. Luis Gilberto Murillo.

Colombia’s Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, which is conducting the investigation, has described U.S. powdered milk exports as “subsidized,” according to an unofficial translation. But the U.S. Dairy Export Council and the National Milk Producers Federation have insisted the products don’t benefit from direct or indirect U.S. subsidies. The council said it expects Colombia's investigation to lead to a preliminary decision this fall, after which tariffs could be imposed on U.S. powdered milk exports to Colombia.