Source: Cheese Importers Association of America
Today, the Cheese Importers Association of America received designation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a qualified importer program. Under the order implementing the Dairy Import Assessment, importers are permitted to form their own qualified import program and request certification of their program from USDA. The CIAA qualified program will be eligible to receive up to 2.5 cents of the fee paid by importers of dairy products subject to the assessment.
Prior to the implementation of the assessment on August 1, 2011, importers will need to notify USDA that they are designating the CIAA qualified program to receive their monies. Now that it is an eligible qualified program, the CIAA plans to increase its promotion and education activities. Importers designating the CIAA as their qualified program will benefit from exciting new promotions of specialty cheeses and opportunities to educate retailers and customers on imported cheeses. The CIAA intends to expand its training and public relations programs to educate its customers about specialty cheeses and how to serve them and use them in the preparation of foods and meals.
Beginning August 1, 2011, importers will be required to pay the Dairy Import Assessment, a fee equivalent to 7.5 cents/cwt of cow’s milk solids in imported products. Of that 7.5 cent assessment, 5 cents will automatically be sent to the National Dairy Board; however, importers will be able to direct USDA to send the remaining 2.5 cents to a qualified program of their choice. Qualified programs may conduct promotion, education, and market and nutrition research of dairy products.
The Cheese Importers Association, Inc. is a non-profit trade association formed more than sixty years ago whose membership comprises the vast majority of the firms engaged in the business of importing, selling, promoting, and distributing cheese and cheese products in the U.S. The CIAA endeavors to support dairy trade, within the context of compliance with international trade agreements, and all applicable US regulations.
