Colombian diary farmers threatened by FTA . [View all]

[Judi Lynn]

Colombian diary farmers threatened by FTA .
Friday, 18 May 2012 10:15
Rosemary Westwood

The Colombian government has admitted that an increase in whey imports as part the Free Trade Agreement with the United States will hurt dairy farmers, reported local media Friday.

U.S. whey products can now compete tariff-free with local dairy products – a fact the Minister of Agriculture Juan Camilo Restrepo said could damage Colombia’s diary industry.

“The Agriculture Ministry will search every last crevice of the Free Trade Agreement to see how we can prevent excessive imports of whey that will hurt producers in general and the Colombian dairy industry,” said Restrepo.

Whey, the liquid by-product of cheese, is used in animal feeds and food products, including dairy products, processed meats, snack foods and infant formulas. The U.S. is the world’s largest exporter of whey and a traditional competitor to Colombian dairy companies.

More:
http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/economy/24124-colombia-diary-farmers-threatend-by-fta.html