National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) President and CEO Jim Mulhern told Congress the value of free trade agreements depends on whether other countries abide by them. In testimony before the Senate Finance Committee, Mulhern said trade is critically important to America’s dairy industry, thanks to numerous trade pacts negotiated since 1994.

However, despite these agreements, Mulhern said dairy exporters have “to work almost as hard to ensure the market access terms of the agreements are not subsequently undermined.” Mulhern urged lawmakers to make sure trade agreements contain safeguards against cheating before they vote on them.