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Vilsack tells Farmers Union supply management that raises food costs won’t pass

USDA’s returning Secretary Tom Vilsack says new supply management programs might not get approval in Washington D.C. “I think the challenge there is whether or not programs like this can be designed in a way that doesn’t necessarily result in significantly higher costs to consumers because then it becomes politically difficult.”

Vilsack says when a program results in higher food costs, it is not long before opponents seek changes.  The secretary says one possible supply management change being discussed is with the Federal Milk Marketing Order system. “I know that there are Members of Congress that are, especially on the dairy side, concerned about the current system, that want a review of it, and I know that there are conversations taking place now about that. We’ll see where that goes.”

Vilsack made his comments during the National Farmers Union virtual convention Monday.