In a rare turn of events, there seems to be consensus between the U.S. House and Senate agriculture committees about when dairy reform should move through Congress. At least for now, it will remain where it has always been – within the farm bill.
In an interview with Agri-Pulse last week, Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, clearly indicated her belief that dairy policy would not move ahead of the 2012 Farm Bill.
"The only reason to even talk about moving it separately would be if there was agreement on a package. At the moment, there is not," Stabenow said. "Frankly, I think, politically, it makes sense to move everything within the context of the farm bill."
Her comments mirror those made by House Agriculture Chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK) in interviews earlier this year. Lucas said he would consider moving a dairy reform package ahead of the farm bill only if the farmers and processors are united. Currently, the National Milk Producers Federation and IDFA have differing points of view on the path forward for dairy reform.
To read the rest of the story, please go to: International Dairy Foods Association