More About Imports

More questions about dairy imports from other countries:
Who is buying these imported dairy products, MPCs (milk protein concentrates) and caseins? They are purchased by giant US companies and large US dairy processors to add to various food products. This is a great area for some journalists to investigate.....
Why would the US companies purchase these products from other countries instead of from the US dairy farmer? Cheap. Our big companies in this country can get these dairy products cheaper from overseas than buying dairy products here. However, it is unconscionable that anyone or any business would put big money above the health and safety of our population.
How can these imports be cheaper? The MPCs are allowed into this country tariff-free. And of course, back in their country of origin, they are not under US regulations for sanitation, environmental issues, etc. Workers are often paid very, low wages with no benefits.
Isn't cheaper better? I believe in the old saying, 'You get what you paid for it'. When friends are checking out airline tickets, I often remind them, 'Don't get the cheapest'. Often, it is the cheapest for a reason. Any product that goes really cheap, is usually really cheap because something in the quality has been sacrificed. Quality is usually going to cost some money.
ShouldI/we be concerned about importing dairy products? Visit a dairy farm and see how we continually meet the challenges to keep it sanitary! The thought of getting dairy products from overseas that have not had our high US safety standards is quite frightening.
Are you thinking of the melamine in Chinese milk? Yes, it was just over a year ago that leading dairies in China were found to have melamine, an industrial chemical, in the milk. It sickened over 50,000 children and some died from this. Melamine is the same chemical that was found in some dog food from China which killed thousands of dogs and cats in our country. Can you connect the dots?
How much is your milk tested? Every load of milk that leaves our farm on a milk-truck is tested at least once. If our milk does not meet the highest of standards it is literally tossed out. Our milking facilities at our farm are inspected 3 times a year and must meet rigorous sanitation standards for us to stay licensed to be in business. Actually, US milk and dairy products are among the most tested and regulated foods in America.