NMPF and USDEC Say CORCA Will Help Protect Dairy Shipments and Strengthen Supply Chains
ARLINGTON, Va. — The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) are welcoming the passage of the Combatting Organized Retail Crime Act (CORCA) in the U.S. House of Representatives, saying the legislation could help reduce cargo theft and improve supply chain reliability for dairy producers and exporters.
Industry leaders say organized retail crime and cargo break-ins have increasingly disrupted shipments of dairy products across the United States, creating delays and financial losses for producers and exporters alike. The proposed legislation is intended to provide law enforcement agencies with additional tools and coordination mechanisms to address organized theft operations targeting commercial shipments.
The dairy organizations said the bipartisan bill represents an important step toward safeguarding transportation networks relied upon by the sector to move products domestically and internationally.
Dairy Producers Cite Ongoing Cargo Theft Concerns
According to the organizations, dairy shippers have experienced growing challenges related to cargo theft, particularly as criminal groups target shipping containers in search of valuable retail merchandise. Although dairy products are not always the intended target, the industry says exporters have still faced significant disruptions as a result of break-ins and damaged shipments.
“CORCA is an important tool for our dairy producers to ensure that their products reach end customers safely and on time,” NMPF President & CEO Gregg Doud said. “We appreciate Reps. Joyce, Lee, Valadao and Titus for leading this commonsense legislation to crack down on cargo break-ins that continue to affect U.S. dairy shippers. We look forward to working to move the bill forward in the Senate and into law.”
NMPF represents dairy farmers and cooperatives across the United States and has advocated for stronger supply chain protections in recent years as transportation disruptions have affected agricultural exports.
Exporters Seek Greater Supply Chain Security
USDEC also emphasized the importance of maintaining secure transportation channels for international dairy trade, noting that reliable logistics systems are essential for exporters competing in global markets.
“U.S. dairy exporters rely upon a supply chain that is safe and reliable in order to reach customers around the world,” USDEC President & CEO Krysta Harden said. “Unfortunately, our dairy exports have been collateral damage as criminals break into shipping containers in search of high-value retail goods. The bipartisan legislation passed by the House is a critical step toward providing our dairy shippers and law enforcement the resources needed to better confront this issue. Thank you to Representatives Joyce, Lee, Valadao and Titus for championing this important effort.”
USDEC works to promote U.S. dairy exports internationally and supports policies aimed at strengthening market access and trade competitiveness. The organization said ongoing cargo theft incidents have added pressure to exporters already navigating higher transportation costs and broader supply chain volatility.
Bipartisan Support for Organized Retail Crime Legislation
The Combatting Organized Retail Crime Act was introduced with bipartisan backing from Representatives Dave Joyce, Summer Lee, David Valadao and Dina Titus. Supporters of the bill argue that organized retail crime has evolved into a more coordinated and large-scale issue affecting retailers, manufacturers, distributors and transportation providers across multiple industries.
The legislation is designed to improve coordination among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies while enhancing information sharing related to organized theft operations. Business groups supporting the measure say these efforts could help reduce losses tied to cargo theft and supply chain disruptions.
For the dairy industry, the issue extends beyond retail losses, with stakeholders warning that delays and damaged shipments can affect product quality, delivery schedules and customer relationships in both domestic and export markets.
Industry groups are now urging the U.S. Senate to take up the bill and move it toward final approval. NMPF and USDEC said they plan to continue advocating for the legislation as it advances through the legislative process.
The organizations maintain that stronger enforcement measures and greater coordination among authorities will be essential to protecting supply chains that support agricultural producers and exporters across the United States.