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DBA: Pay attention to government policy activity

DBA’s John Holevoet discusses policy issues with group at policy picnic in Algoma

A dairy group says improving trade opportunities and paying attention to government policy proposals is very important right now.  John Holevoet is the government affairs director for the Dairy Business Association and its milk marketing cooperative.   He says, “From the federal side, we’re looking at labor supply, how do both maintain our existing workforce and have a new and legal pipeline to bring in new workers for our dairies.  We’re also watching the trade situation carefully.  We want to make sure we protect our existing trade relationships and also build future trading relationships with new countries and new partners.”

Holevoet tells Brownfield it’s no coincidence trade and milk prices have both gone up.  He’s also concerned that some big ag issues like immigration labor are not Washington’s top priorities.  “From a federal level, we are probably in a wait-and-see mode.  They’ve got some other things they’re trying to deal with right now. They (Congress) is looking at health care.  They’re looking at tax reform.  But, once those big items are done, that’s going to be our opportunity to move some of what we care about, and all through that process still, we’re already talking Farm Bill so we’ve got to keep an eye out on that.”

Holevoet says they are also keeping an eye on key state issues, like what’s being proposed in Wisconsin for animal siting and agricultural runoff regulations.

Holevoet spoke to Brownfield during their recent DBA Policy Picnic near Algoma, Wisconsin.

  • ….Mr. Holevoet, your industry has been very involved with the “LABOR ISSUE” from the very beginning….you created this mess and now that a new set of LAWS have come forward, your getting worried…right…? I believe your industry will fix this and do whatever it takes….way too much MONEY involved…! Until you do….the LAW IS THE LAW….right…?

    About that TRADE ISSUE…it was on his first full day as President that he signed paper work changing that TPP thing…and now the DBA is worried about CHEESE AND TRADE…the world has changed and your not happy about it….are you….? This story is HUGE….good luck…! Perhaps your President will make it right for the DBA…?

    Across the Nation, farming pollution is a front page story….town after town, city after city are hiring LAWYERS and the battle is getting bigger by the day….your industry is the problem….I have a solution that will stop the LAW SUITES….your industry may get all the water they want….but….IF WE STOP RENTING OUR LAND FOR YOUR LIQUID MANURE TOXIC CHEMICAL SOUP….if we just said….”NO”….you wouldn’t have the LAW SUITES….right….? We the people now control your destiny….we have had enough …GOOD LUCK….!

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