USDA Announces Changes To Dairy Import Licensing Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on Monday that it will be changing the Dairy Tariff-Rate Import Quota Licensing Program, effective September 1. Among the program changes outlined in the final rule, USDA will suspend the historical license reduction provision, currently set to expire in the beginning of 2016, for an additional seven years. This change will allow license holders to adjust to changing market conditions affecting the dairy sector.

USDA will also modify procedures for collecting licensing fees to better align fee collection to the costs of administering the program. In addition, USDA will increase the efficiency of program operations by requiring the use of electronic communications for applications, reporting and payment.

The licensing program covers nearly all dairy products, including dried skim or whole milk, cheese and butter.

To read the rest of the story, please go to: International Dairy Foods Association