IDFA Disappointed that Dairy Market Stabilization Proposal Stays in Farm Bill

Remains Hopeful That Program Will Be Removed Through Action on the Senate Floor

WASHINGTON, April 26, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Jerry Slominski, senior vice president for legislative and economic affairs at the International Dairy Foods Association, issued the following statement on the Senate Agriculture Committee's vote to approve the 2012 Farm Bill and move it to the Senate floor. The bill includes a dairy market stabilization program, first introduced in H.R. 3062, the Dairy Security Act, by Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN), which will raise consumer prices, hurt exports, cost thousands of new jobs and stifle investments in new facilities.

"We commend Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) for getting a Farm Bill out of committee as it is very important legislation for our agriculture communities. We appreciate the concerns that several members expressed about the dairy title and applaud Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) for his leadership in finding a true compromise that provides support for dairy farmers without the necessity of a new dairy supply management program. His proposed margin insurance program will offer dairy farmers the ability to manage price volatility without including a failed policy that discourages investments by dairy food companies and takes away opportunities for dairy farmers to expand production. "

The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), headquartered in Washington, D.C., represents the nation's dairy manufacturing and marketing industries and their suppliers, with a membership of 550 companies representing a $110-billion a year industry. IDFA is composed of three constituent organizations: the Milk Industry Foundation (MIF), the National Cheese Institute (NCI) and the International Ice Cream Association (IICA). IDFA's 220 dairy processing members run more than 600 plant operations, and range from large multi-national organizations to single-plant companies. Together they represent more than 85 percent of the milk, cultured products, cheese and frozen desserts produced and marketed in the United States. 

SOURCE International Dairy Foods Association

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