The International Dairy Foods Association has announced that George W. Bush, the 43rd president of the United States, will lead off the International Dairy Show on Sept. 13, 2010, in Dallas.

The International Dairy Foods Association has announced that George W. Bush, the 43rd president of the United States, will lead off the International Dairy Show on Sept. 13, 2010, in Dallas. 

“President Bush served during eight of the most consequential years in American history,” said IDFA President and CEO Connie Tipton. “We are excited that he has accepted our invitation to share his insights on public service, the nature of leadership and the challenges facing our nation.”

President Bush will sit down with Tipton for an hour-long conversation at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 13. The talk will include a question and answer session. President Bush is credited with making many significant decisions that will shape the nation’s course and world affairs for decades to come.

“President Bush’s leadership after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, was an inspiration to millions of Americans,” said Tipton. “Working with leaders in Congress and the private sector, President Bush raised standards and accountability in public education, added a prescription drug benefit to Medicare... and strengthened America’s relationships with strategically important nations including India, China and Japan.”

The International Dairy Show, presented by the International Dairy Foods Association, will feature the newest innovations in technology, packaging, ingredients and services for the dairy foods industry. 

The International Dairy Show can be found online atwww.dairyshow.com.


Groups praise Wisconsin for vetoing raw-milk bill

National and state dairy organizations thanked Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle for vetoing a state bill that would have allowed raw milk sales direct to consumers in that state, saying that his action “demonstrates a commitment to health and safety,” according to the National Milk Producers Federation and the International Dairy Foods Association.

Doyle’s office announced late last month that because of public health concerns, he was vetoing the state senate measure. That decision comes a week after IDFA and NMPF issued a statement expressing concern that, absent Doyle’s veto, Wisconsin would join other states in allowing further distribution of raw milk, a product which “remains a demonstrable threat to people of all ages in every state,” the groups said.

Federal law prohibits the interstate sale of raw milk, but allows states individual discretion to regulate raw milk sales within their borders.  Several states in recent years have loosened restrictions on the sales and marketing of raw milk, even as the product has been repeatedly linked to serious illnesses from coast to coast.

Connie Tipton, president and CEO of IDFA, said Doyle’s decision “should serve as an example for other elected officials that what may be politically expedient and popular in some corners is not always in the ultimate best interest of consumers.”

Tipton noted that while raw milk represents less than 1% of fluid milk consumption, it causes more than 70% of the food borne illness outbreaks in dairy. 

Members of the Wisconsin Dairy Products Association also extended thanks to Doyle for his veto, which WDPA Executive Director Brad Legreid said “responsibly proclaimed that the children and senior citizens of Wisconsin are more important to him than misguided legislation that was being rushed forward as a result of election-year politics.”