News

Dairy pricing legislation reintroduced

Legislation that would address some dairy pricing concerns has been reintroduced in the U.S. Senate.

The American Dairy Coalition’s Laurie Fischer says the Diary Pricing Opportunity Act written by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York is back along with several of Gillibrand’s dairy priorities she announced ahead of the farm bill negotiations.

Gillibrand’s bill would force USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack to hold hearings on the Federal Milk Marketing Order system within six months of passage.  And, the hearings must include the views and proposals from producers and the dairy industry on the Class I price, the higher-of formula, and other matters considered appropriate by the Secretary.

Fischer says Gillibrand’s bill responds to producer concerns to get national hearings started, and ADC looks forward to being at the table on milk pricing that affects dairy farmer livelihoods.

The coalition says Class I fluid milk processors are the only ones required to be price-regulated under the FMMOs, and the other manufacturing classes participate voluntarily.  USDA data shows about 60% of U.S. milk is regulated by a federal milk marketing order.