November 9, 2000

The Honorable Dan Glickman
Secretary
United States Department of Agriculture
Independence Ave., & 14th St. SW
Washington, DC  20250

The Honorable Charlene Barshefsky
U.S. Trade Representative
600 17th Street, NW
Washington, DC  20506

Dear Secretary Glickman and Ambassador Barshefsky:

We are aware that the United States' latest submission to the Special Session of the WTO's Committee on Agriculture submitted in late September included market access provisions that would substantially increase TRQ quantities and substantially reduce out-of-quota duties.

It seems to us that these proposals would have the likely result of allowing a substantial increase in dairy imports into the United States in such a volume as to have a deleterious effect on domestic milk prices.  These increased imports would come at a critical time when our dairy farmer constituents are experiencing the lowest raw milk prices in two decades, with no relief in sight.

Dairy farmers are growing increasingly skeptical that free trade agreements will be beneficial to them.  We are enclosing an editorial from the September 29, 2000 issue of "The Cheese Reporter" which clearly indicates that producers are very concerned about our country's negotiating stance on dairy.

We would appreciate your explanation as to how increased import access coupled with lower tariff rates will benefit the many thousands of dairy producers who are entitled to receive fair prices for their product.

Sincerely,