House Of Representatives Approves Farm Bill Legislation Containing NMPF Provisions
ARLINGTON, VA – The House of Representatives gave final approval today to a new Farm Bill containing all of the major elements that the National Milk Producers Federation had sought when the process of writing a farm bill in Congress began earlier this year. After turning back a challenge led by Rep. Ron Kind to replace mainstream farm programs with a radical alternative, the House approved the farm bill written last week by the House Agriculture Committee by a vote of 231 to 191. The vote Friday “is the culmination of months of hard work by our members, who were steadfast in pressing for a farm bill that is as diverse and vibrant as the dairy industry itself – and one that will help keep our industry vibrant in the future,” said Jerry Kozak, President and CEO of NMPF. He said that NMPF would now shift its efforts to the Senate, which has yet to develop its own farm bill. Kozak said that the Senate “should take a good look at the many positive elements in the House bill, with an eye toward making a good bill even better in the Senate.” In terms of dairy policy, the House farm bill contains a revised dairy price support program; an extension of the Milk Income Loss Contract program; language to finally implement the dairy checkoff on imported dairy products; a forward contracting Agriculture expedite the Federal Milk Marketing Order hearing process; a provision creating a new commission to review milk pricing regulations; a provision stipulating that the USDA fully use the Dairy Export Incentive Program; and additional funds for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, as well as conservation funding for energy- related practices that directly affect dairy operations. Finally, the 2007 Farm Bill adds resources for nutrition programs, ensuring that sufficient funding for dairy foods in these programs is maintained. “Dairy farmers and their cooperatives are thankful for the leadership of Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-MN),” said Kozak, in praising the work of Rep. Peterson as the bill made its way from the committee to the full House. Kozak also lauded the substantial efforts of the other members of the Agriculture Committee “for their consideration and understanding of the priorities and interests of dairy farmers across the country.” The National Milk Producers Federation, based in Arlington, VA, develops and carries out policies that advance the well being of dairy producers and the cooperatives they own. The members of NMPF’s 32 cooperatives produce the majority of the U.S. milk supply, making NMPF the voice of nearly 50,000 dairy producers on Capitol Hill and with government agencies. |