The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement has become a heated issue. While much of the food industry has indicated strong support for its passage, the dairy industry has expressed concern that, if it is passed, the US would have to take definitive steps to address the implementation and enforcement of the agreement’s dairy provisions.

“The fine print really matters,” says Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF). “We have endorsed the outlines of the agreement, but must insist the agreed-to terms are followed by the other countries involved in this agreement. The US needs to remain vigilant and really hold the TPP signatories’ feet to the fire both, now and down the road.” In particular, the dairy industry wants to make sure Canada “faithfully implements its TPP commitments.”