By Courtney Potts
 

What started as a request by one New York dairy eventually may lead to the removal of a long-standing trade barrier between the United States and India.

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., announced Monday that United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk had promised to press Indian trade officials to open their market to American dairy exports, which have been banned since 2006.

Kirk was to meet with officials Monday during the U.S.-India Trade Policy Forum in India.

“Securing a commitment from the USTR to work with Indian officials on this issue is the critical first step to re-opening the massive and profitable Indian dairy market to U.S. dairy products,” Schumer said in a news release.

He added that eliminating the ban would “provide a great shot in the arm for dairy product manufacturers.”

Source: Observer-Dispatch (Utica, N.Y.)

http://www.uticaod.com/blotters/x665150763/Officials-to-ask-India-to-accept-U-S-dairy-products