Reps. Sheltrown, DeRossett, Emmons, Brown, Elkins, Bieda, Hune, Gieleghem, Accavitti, Dennis, Gleason, Farrah, Sak, Gillard, Reeves, O'Neil, Rivet, Byrum, Woodward, Hardman, Condino, Minore, Wojno, Tobocman, Cheeks, Plakas, Paletko, Spade, Williams, Meisner, Clack, Zelenko, Phillips, Anderson, Murphy, Kolb, Jamnick, Stallworth, Law, Hopgood, Stahl, Meyer, Lipsey, Amos, Caswell, Julian, LaSata, Vander Veen, Voorhees, Nofs and Palsrok offered the following concurrent resolution:
House Concurrent Resolution No. 10.
A concurrent resolution to urge the United States Customs Service to work for greater enforcement of food safety standards by reconsidering the classification of dairy products, especially those containing milk protein concentrates.
Whereas, The domestic dairy industry is very concerned about the effect that imported dry milk protein concentrates (MPCs) are having. The increasing use of these key components in many dairy products and the fact that regulations have clearly lagged behind technology are serious threats to a key part of American agriculture; and
Whereas, Farm groups concerned about the negative trends in the dairy industry strongly believe the dairy protein blends are being incorrectly classified by the United States Customs Service. The improper classification has created a trade loophole that encourages importers to circumvent tariffs on certain dairy products. It also undermines food safety standards. A key impact of this situation is economic hardship for American agriculture; and
Whereas, Although the United States Customs Service earlier took a stand advocating the proper classification of products with MPCs to ensure that high-fat dairy protein products are not immune from tariff, the Customs Service has since reversed its position. This has led key dairy industry representatives to challenge the current classification system. The long-term vitality of the American dairy industry hangs in the balance; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That we urge United States Customs Service to work for greater enforcement of food safety standards by reconsidering the classification of dairy products, especially those containing milk protein concentrates; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the United States Customs Service and the United States Food and Drug Administration.