Dairy Companies Unite Against Possible Dairy Amendment in Senate

Dairy companies are joining forces to oppose a costly dairy proposal that is now being circulated in the Senate as part of the farm bill debate. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) may try to attach this controversial national plan as an amendment once the farm bill hits the Senate floor, but 43 dairy company executives urged Capitol Hill in a recent letter "to reject legislation that would increase costs for milk and dairy products."

"We believe the expiration of legislative authority for the Northeast Interstate Dairy Compact on September 30 was a step in the right direction, but we understand that an even more troublesome dairy proposal is now being circulated in the Senate," the October 31 letter states. "This new plan would lock in higher prices for fluid milk in the 48 contiguous states, add a new government deficiency payment program for dairy farmers on top of the several federal programs already in place, and provide for the creation of regional supply management programs to limit the production response to higher prices."

A similar dairy plan, offered by Rep. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), was defeated during the House farm bill debate. The Senate Agriculture Committee is now crafting its version of the farm bill. Observers believe that if the committee can approve a farm bill in the next two weeks, the legislation could be brought to the full Senate before the end of the year. Leahy is trying to attach his dairy proposal amendment either in committee or when the legislation moves to the Senate floor.

IDFA and the Coalition for Fair Milk Prices continue to oppose this unprecedented federal proposal. For a copy of the letter, or for the details of the Leahy dairy scheme, click here.

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