NFU Convention Delegates: Support Needed for Dairy Producers
For Immediate Release: March 5, 2007
Contact: Liz Friedlander, 202-314-3191ORLANDO, Fla. (March 5, 2007) – Delegates to National Farmers Union’s 105th Anniversary convention today recognized the significant contributions America’s dairy producers provide to rural communities across the country. The delegates passed a policy position urging Congress and the Administration take action that would promote and enhance the economic livelihoods of these producers.
“Dairy producers face many challenges,” NFU President Tom Buis said. “Imported dairy products that do not need to meet our high standards are distorting the market and nonfat dry milk values have been below other price measures, causing milk prices to be lower than they should have and furthering economic hardship.”
Delegates expressed support for provisions that would fully fund and extend the Milk Income Contract Loss (MILC) program; bring an immediate investigation and review on the reporting procedures for the values of nonfat dry milk; require U.S. produced dairy products be provided to armed service members; require federally-subsidized nutrition programs contain only domestically-produced dairy products; and prohibit imports of dairy and meat products from any nation with an active outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease.
