Brasília - The Brazilian Confederation of Agriculture (CNA) was invited today to join the Global Dairy Alliance, which represents the world's largest producers of dairy products. The invitation came from the ex-Prime Minister of New Zealand and ex-Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Mike Moore, who is in Brazil on a visit. According to projections of the US Department of Agriculture, Brazil should be the fifth largest dairy producer in the world this year.

Between January and August of this year, Brazilian dairy exports attained 35 thousand tons, 52.8% more than the 23 thousand tons exported over the same period in 2003, and generated US$ 49.5 million in revenues.

For the President of the CNA's National Dairy Cattle Commission, Rodrigo Alvim, Moore's visit attests to Brazil's importance in the international milk and dairy products sector. Moore is currently Senior Counsellor to Fonterra, the biggest dairy cooperative in New Zealand.

Agência Brasil
Translator: David Silberstein
09/22/2004